Updated: Criaco not rejoining Ħamrun but heading to Cyprus

Reds yet to agree a deal with Hibs for Mbong

Marco Criaco will not be returning to Ħamrun Spartans this summer as the veteran midfielder is currently in talks to join a Cypriot club, the Times of Malta can reveal. 

Earlier on Thursday, it was thought that Criaco was on the verge of rejoining the Spartans after he parted ways with Gżira United. 

Personal terms were agreed with the Spartans and the 31-year-old was expected to join the Spartans squad for his first session of pre-season training with coach Mark Buttigieg on Wednesday evening.

However, in a stunning u-turn, Criaco received lucrative offer from a Cypriot Division Two side and is now set to leave Maltese football.

Talks are said to be at an advanced stage and Criaco is hopeful of agreeing a deal in the coming days. 

Following this development, it is likely that the Spartans will seek an alternative midfielder as they look to bolster the team’s engine room this summer. 

The Reds are also currently in talks to sign Hibernians midfielder Joseph Mbong.

Despite reports elsewhere saying that Ħamrun and Hibernians have a deal in place for the Malta midfielder to join the Reds, the truth is that so far there has been no agreement between the two Premier League clubs.

Talks between the two parties are expected to continue in the coming days with the Reds hopeful they can land a second international player during the summer transfer window following the sigining of Juan Corbalan, from Gżira United.