Daniel Bogdanovic is a Sliema Wanderers player, according to club president Robert Arrigo.

Bogdanovic's imminent return to Maltese football had been widely expected after his former club ChernoMore Varna's financial situation deteriorated as a consequence of the murder of their former president Iliya Pavlov in March.

Sliema had emerged strong favourites to capture Bogdanovic despite bold interest from Marsaxlokk but the former Valletta striker claimed that there were a number of hurdles to be cleared before any club could secure his services.

However, both Bogdanovic and Arrigo yesterday told The Times that the deal for the former's move to the Maltese champions had been sealed but stopped short of revealing the terms of his release.

Bogdanovic and a Sliema committee member spent three days in Bulgaria earlier this week, presumably to negotiate the player's release from ChernoMore. The Malta striker had said that the Bulgarian club owed him a substantial sum of money in unpaid wages.

Speaking to The Times a few hours after his arrival from Bulgaria yesterday, Bogdanovic said that he has rejoined Sliema after the latter agreed terms with ChernoMore for his transfer.

"I wasn't very optimistic that Sliema would reach an accord with ChernoMore for my transfer because the situation was a bit complicated," Bogdanovic said. "I am relieved to have been given the go-ahead to complete my move to Sliema."

Bogdanovic said he has agreed a three-year deal with the Maltese champions.

Although the lanky striker has not given up hope on furthering his career abroad, he has no intention to seek pastures new before the end of season 2003-2004.

"The birth of my second child, a boy, last week, strengthened my conviction to return to Maltese football as quickly as possible," Bogdanovic said.

"I am relishing the prospect of turning out for Sliema in the Champions League as well as in the domestic competitions. My idea is to stay put for at least another year before considering any offers that might come from overseas clubs," the 23-year-old Bogdanovic said. Sliema take on Latvian champions FC Skonto on July 16 and 23.

Bogdanovic had failed to make an impact during his first spell with Sliema in season 2000-2001.

At the start of the following season, Bogdanovic moved to Hungarian club SC Vasas but his stay was also cut short by the club's financial woes, forcing him to return to Maltese football where he joined Naxxar Lions.

The Yugoslav-born striker has come by leaps and bounds since his first stint with Sliema, bolstering his reputation as one of the most technically-gifted players in the Maltese national squad.

"I am 100 per cent sure that my second spell with Sliema will be far more positive than the first one for the simple reason that I am a different person from what I was then," he said.

Bogdanovic, who started last season as a Valletta player but then moved to ChernoMore Varna in January, was straightforward about the reasons which led him to accept Sliema's offer.

"Sliema have a strong squad that can do well in all competitions and are one of the few stable Maltese clubs in terms of finances. In deciding to join Sliema, I believe I am also looking after the interests of my whole family," Bogdanovic said.