Division One club Luxol St Andrew’s yesterday finalised the appointment of Danilo Doncic as their new coach.
Doncic takes over from Italian Pino Murgia who was fired by St Andrew’s a few weeks ago following a string of disappointing results.
St Andrew’s acted quickly to install Doncic as their new coach until the end of the season after the Serbian parted ways with Premier League club Mosta late last month.
It is believed that Steve Abela, the St Andrew’s president, played a key role in luring Doncic to his club after the two established a very good relationship during their time with Sliema Wanderers.
St Andrew’s will be hoping that the arrival of a highly-rated coach like Doncic sparks an upturn in their fortunes after they slipped to ninth place in the Division One standings with 12 points from 11 games.
It has been a turbulent campaign for St Andrew’s so far with Doncic becoming the third coach to lead their team this season after Murgia had taken over from Brazilian William Barbosa who had joined the club as player-coach in May.
Doncic, who was due to take charge of his first training session yesterday, will make his debut on Sunday when St Andrew’s take on St George’s in a league game.
Meanwhile, Barbosa yesterday sealed his move to Premier League club Tarxien Rainbows.
The 35-year-old Brazilian has signed until the end of the season with an option to extend the contract for another year.
Barbosa was keen to reignite his career in the country’s top flight after his short spell with St Andrew’s.
Tarxien, third from bottom in the Premier League, were also hoping to sign Pape Gueye. But the Sliema striker has opted to join Division One side Gżira United on loan until the end of the season.
Gżira have also acquired Spanish striker Moises Avila-Perez who was released by Rabat Ajax earlier this month.
Tarxien are also pursuing interest in Sliema midfielder Beppe Muscat who is also coveted by Melita.
Sliema Wanderers have completed the registration of Bosnia midfielder Admir Vladavic after his international transfer certificate was sent to the Malta FA yesterday.
Vladavic, 32, is expected to make his first appearance for Sliema in their clash with title hopefuls Valletta on Sunday.
The Blues are considering an approach from Vittoriosa Stars who are keen to sign goalkeeper Glenn Zammit on a short-term loan deal.
Zammit is reportedly keen to join Vittoriosa in order to improve his chances of playing first-team football after failing to dislodge Henry Bonello as Sliema’s no.1 goalkeeper this term.
Vittoriosa Stars have allowed Jean Mathias Vella to join Division One club Msida St Joseph.
Vella started the season as Vittoriosa’s first-choice goalkeeper but fell out of favour with coach Oliver Spiteri for disciplinary reasons.