Sta Lucia FC and Floriana FC have reached an agreement on a swap deal that will see goalkeeper Andreas Vella joining the Greens while defender Jurgen Pisani has agreed a move to the Saints.
This is arguably the first major transfer between two Premier League sides this summer and is the result of very constructive talks between Floriana new president Johann Said and Robert Micallef, the Sta Lucia FC chief who worked closely on this deal.
Sta Lucia FC’s acquisition is seen as major transfer coup for the Saints who are looking to build on last season’s excellent campaign which saw the team finish eighth in the Premier League.
The 28-year-old defender, who can also play as left-back, has agreed terms with the Saints and has put pen to paper on a three-year contract. Pisani has been a mainstay with Floriana since he joined the Greens in 2015 from Pietà Hotspurs.
With Floriana, Pisani has emerged as one of the top defenders in the Premier League and reached his peak in season 2019-20 when he skippered the Greens to the league title.
Last season, Pisani made 20 appearances with Floriana, scoring two goals. The 22-year-old Vella came through the Qormi youth nursery and joined Birkirkara in 2016.
The following year Vella moved to Mosta FC where he spent three seasons before he headed south to join Sta Lucia FC.
With the Saints, Vella made eight appearances last season, where he managed two cleans sheets.
Now, the former Malta no.1 goalkeeper will start a new adventure with the Greens who are looking to rejuvenate their squad after a disappointing season.
Contract talks for Magri Overend
Meanwhile Sta Lucia FC have stepped up their efforts to keep hold of one of their brightest prospects in right back Adam Magri Overend.
The young defender, who has just featured prominently for the Malta U-21 national team in this month’s friendlies in Croatia, is in advanced talks to sign a new two-year contract.
The 21-year-old featured prominently for Oliver Spiteri’s team last season, making 17 league appearances, and scoring one goal.
