Sliema's Carlo Mamo agrees to join Marsaxlokk

Marsaxlokk are on the verge of pulling off another transfer coup after it transpired yesterday that Carlo Mamo, the Sliema Wanderers left-back, has agreed to join them.

Mamo, a key member of Sliema's double-winning team last season, recently put pen to paper on a new contract with the Maltese champions after his previous deal expired at the end of the 2003-2004 campaign.

The new agreement, however, contains a clause granting the player the right to leave the Wanderers for another club who are prepared to pay a compensation sum for his transfer as stipulated by the MFA parameters. Sources have indicated that Mamo's value in the transfer market is close to Lm20,000.

News of Marsaxlokk's bid for Mamo has been confirmed by the presidents of the two clubs, namely Sliema's Robert Arrigo and Victor Sciriha, the Marsaxlokk chief.

Mamo did not hide his desire to move to Marsaxlokk when contacted by The Times yesterday.

"Joining Marsaxlokk is an intriguing challenge for me as they are a team with high ambitions to be successful in local football," the 25-year-old Mamo said.

"We will see what comes up in the next few days but I'm confident that the transfer will be concluded soon."

Mamo, brought up through the youth ranks of Tarxien Rainbows, has already agreed personal terms with the southerners and will sign a three-year contract once his transfer has been completed.

Sciriha confirmed that an agreement with the player has already been reached but said the two clubs are still negotiating the financial terms of his release.

Mamo's imminent defection to Marsaxlokk has set the wheels in motion for another transfer.

Swift replacement

Having been made aware of Mamo's intention to seek pastures new on Wednesday evening, Sliema moved swiftly to bring in a suitable replacement at left-back.

Miguel Mifsud, the Hibernians flank player, was installed as their no.1 target and in a matter of hours, Sliema president Arrigo struck an agreement with the 24-year-old over his move to the Wanderers.

According to Arrigo, Hibs have given their go-ahead for Mifsud to join Sliema where he will be reunited with former team-mate Adrian Mifsud.

Meanwhile, Lija Athletic, promoted to the Premier League as Division One runners-up, are currently looking to sign two new foreign players to bolster their squad.

Nigerian defender Daddy Okeke is the only non-Maltese player on their books so far. Lija, who recently appointed former Marsa mentor Ilir Pelinku as their new coach, are giving a trial to four overseas players - two Nigerians, an Albanian and one from Bulgaria.

On Monday, they will play against the Malta Amateurs team in a warm-up match they hope will give them a clearer indication on the worth of the players they have on trial.

A Lija official also confirmed that goalkeeper Simon Agius will stay put despite interest in him from a number of top Premier League clubs.

Msida St Joseph have enjoyed their fair share of the transfer limelight in recent weeks after their takeover by former Torino president Roberto Goveani.

This week, they concluded the transfer of Roderick Bajada from Hamrun Spartans and reached an agreement with Sliema Wanderers to sign former Malta U-21 skipper Kevin Sammut on loan for one year. Daniel Theuma's move from Valletta to Msida is also all but sealed.

Sources have told The Times that Msida have turned their attention on Birkirkara's right-back Clint Micallef.

Micallef, a former Malta U-21 international, failed to hold a regular berth in the Birkirkara team last season and this factor may well drive him to seek a move to another club.

Floriana beat Birkirkara 6-2 in friendly

Floriana yesterday beat Premier League rivals Birkirkara 6-2 in a high-scoring friendly.

The scorers for Floriana were Shaun Bajada (2), Trevor Cilia, Ian Ciantar, Jonathan Holland and Joseph Craig Schembri.

Chucks Nwoko and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza were on mark for Birkirkara who were without their international players.