Andrei Agius signs his contract with Hibernians yesterday.

Andrei Agius is making a return to Maltese football after sealing a move to Hibernians on a two-year deal yesterday.

The experienced defender had been looking for a club after his short-term deal with Italian side Aprilia ran out at the end of last season.

A host of Premier League clubs, including Birkirkara, Floriana and, in the early weeks of the close season, Valletta, had shown an interest in Agius but Hibernians won the race for his signature after lengthy talks with the highly-rated defender.

Agius is the fourth close-season signing for Hibs after Rui da Gracia Gomes, Jorginho and goalkeeper Henry Bonello.

Initially, Agius was determined to stay in Italy where he has turned out for several clubs but the offers received failed to match his expectations.

“My aim was to look at all the possibilities but I’m 28 now and the offers I received from Italian clubs were turned down for financial reasons,” Agius told Times of Malta after completing his move to the Paolites yesterday.

Since leaving the country at the age of 16 to join the youth sector of Serbian club Zemun, Agius has spent his entire professional career in Italy bar a short spell with Birkirkara in 2011.

His decision to link up with Hibs has raised the prospect of Agius winning his first honour in Maltese football with his hometown club.

“I am from Paola and it was my wish to don the shirt of Hibs at some stage during my career,” Agius said.

“But, the decisive factor in my decision to join Hibs was the strong interest shown by the club in pursuing my services.

“Furthermore, if I have an opportunity to go abroad in the near future, Hibs have promised their 100 per cent backing.”

Asked whether he still harboured ambitions to play overseas, Agius replied: “To be honest, I wouldn’t mind settling here but you never know what lies around the corner.

“For me to move to a foreign club again, the offer has to tick all the boxes.”

Maltese clubs were not alone in courting Agius this summer as the defender revealed that he had also been approached by Savoia and AS Martina Franca, one of his former clubs.

Although the domestic season is already underway, Agius is unlikely to have any fitness issues as he has done his pre-season training with the out-of-contract players in Coverciano. He also grasped the opportunity to acquire his UEFA B coaching badge during his three-week sojourn at the technical base of the Italian football federation (FIGC).

His arrival represents a boost for Hibs and coach Branko Nisevic who has led the team to three consecutive wins in their opening three league games.

News that Agius has resolved his club future will also be delight Malta coach Pietro Ghedin.

Capped 42 times by Malta, Agius was part of the squad that jetted out to Ostrava early this morning ahead of tomorrow’s friendly against Slovakia and the opening Euro 2016 Group H qualifier against Croatia next Tuesday.

Agius admitted that he was keen to sort out his future before the trip to Slovakia to concentrate fully on the national team’s commitments.

“The timing was right as I can now go away with the national team without any lingering doubts about my club future,” Agius observed.

“I want to thank the national coach for showing faith in me even when I was without a club.

“With regards to our upcoming international games, playing a friendly match before our first qualifier should help our preparations as we generally perform better in the second fixture.

“Both games are very difficult for us but we must approach them in a positive frame of mind.”

Joseph Zerafa

• Joseph Zerafa has parted with Birkirkara on amicable terms as the flank defender hopes to earn a contract with a foreign club.

Zerafa is keen to continue his career in England and has already had trials with some lower-league clubs.