Michael Mifsud could soon be on his way to European football again after a short stint with Sliema Wanderers following his return home from Kaiserslautern.

Reliable sources yesterday told The Sunday Times that Norwegian Premier Division team Lillestrom are close to become the 23-year-old Malta international striker's next club as Mifsud is set to fly to the Nordic country today to finalise a contract, possibly of two years.

A Sliema spokesman yesterday said that they have heard that Mifsud was considering an offer from an overseas club.

So far, however, they have not held any discussions with the player or the club interested in his signature.

Mifsud rejoined Sliema in the second transfer window of the 2003/04 season after a two-year stint with troubled Bundesliga club Kaiserslautern who terminated the Maltese player's contract during the winter.

Kaiserslautern, who had points deducted because of financial irregularities, changed coach and just managed to avoid relegation in their last match of the season.

In the Premier League, Mifsud played a vital role for Sliema as he scored eight times to help the Blues retain the Premiership crown. Sliema also won the FA Trophy after beating Marsaxlokk in the final.

The league in Norway has already started with Tromso leading the standings with 22 points after 11 matches. Five-time champions Lillestrom are in a mid-table position with 16 points after a 4-0 away win at Bodo.

The last time Lillestrom, seventh last season and out of the reckoning for a UEFA Cup place, finished first in the league, was way back in 1989.

Rosenborg have since dominated the scene in Norway, winning no fewer than 12 league titles on the trot. Currently, they are second, two points behind Tromso.

Scouts from Lillestrom were monitoring Mifsud these past couple of months after they were made aware of the striker's talents by a Danish football agent.

They were also in Freiburg last month for Malta's friendly against Germany even though on that occasion Mifsud saw little of the ball as Horst Heese's team was crushed 7-0.

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