Watch: Ħamrun Spartans in advanced talks to sign winger Nenov and midfielder Elionay

Ħamrun Spartans are in advanced talks to sign Bulgarian winger Yuliyan Nenov and Brazilian midfielder Elionay, the Times of Malta has learnt.

Buoyed by their ninth Premier League title success last month, the Spartans are determined to build a very strong team that will not only see them successfully defend their crown of Maltese champions but more importantly go on a strong run in Europe and possibly a place in the group stages of a UEFA clubs competition.

To this end, the Spartans have already announced that they had appointed former Lazio midfielder Luciano Zauri as their new first-team coach, as the Italian replaced Branko Nisevic whose services were not retained by the club.

The Spartans have been working hard to bring in top-quality foreigners and the Times of Malta is in a position to confirm that they are closing in on their first two signings of the close season ahead of their commitments in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers.

In fact, the Spartans are in talks to sign winger Nenov, who last season was on the books of Bulgarian giants Lokomotiv Sofia.

Nenov spent the majority of his career in Bulgaria. He came through the youth ranks of CSKA Sofia before he donned the colours of Chavdar, Botev Vratsa and Lokomotiv GO.

In January 2019, he left his country for a short spell with Moroccan club Difaa El Jadida before returning to Bulgaria the following summer when he joined Beroe and then Botev Vratsa.

Last summer, Nenov made his big move to Lokomotiv Sofia where he made 24 appearances and scored three goals.

On the other hand, Elionay is a 25-year-old defensive midfielder who also spent the majority of his career in his homeland, Brazil.

He played with Vitoria, Doce Mel, Linense and Joinville SC before moving to Betim FC.

Nenov and Elionay are unlikely to be the only foreigners that will be brought to the club by the Spartans as the club are currently evaluating different profiles that can fit the style of play that coach Zauri will want to implement at the club.