Brazilian forward Denni (left) is willing to continue his career in Maltese football. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Brazilian forward Denni Rocha dos Santos is targeting a return to Maltese football in January but his next destination is still unknown.

Following the end of his four-year contract with Valletta at the end of last season, Denni reached a verbal agreement to sign a new two-year deal with the champions in the summer but returned to Brazil in July after being informed that a close family member was unwell.

News of Denni’s unexpected departure was seen as a setback for the 2013/14 league and cup double winners as the impish Brazilian had earned a reputation as one of the most gifted foreign players since arriving in Malta to team up with Tarxien Rainbows in 2009.

Before leaving the country, Denni had declared his intention to return to the BOV Premier League as soon as the situation back home improved.

Contacted by Times of Malta, Denni said “there is a 90 per cent chance that I will return to Malta” during the January transfer window but, by his own admission, his next club is still “a question mark”.

Since returning to Brazil, Denni has been persistently linked with a return to Valletta amid widespread suggestions that the club had failed to find an adequate replacement for him despite signing three attacking players in the close season, namely Brazilian winger Alex Terra and Australian Adrian Zahra and Cameroonian striker Raphael Kooh Sohna.

While Denni, who has been turning out for his local team in Brazil, is believed to be willing to rejoin Valletta, he has been unable to agree personal terms.

Although Valletta are expected to revive discussions with Denni in the coming weeks, the latter is unlikely to have a shortage of offers from local clubs if he decides to return to Malta come January.

After impressing during his short stint with Tarxien, Denni joined Valletta in 2010 on a four-year deal.

During his spell with the Citizens, the 32-year-old won three league championships and was a key member of the team that won a league and cup double under Dutch coach Andre Paus last season.

Paus left last summer to take over at Anorthostis Famagusta who are sixth in Cyprus’s top division, level on 13 points with Omonia Nicosia and AEL.

Besides Denni, three other foreigners who played a key role in Valletta’s double success after joining the club in January, also sought pastures new.

Georgian goalkeeper Nukri Revishvili is playing for FC Tosno in Russia’s second division, Georgian midfielder Irakli Maisuradze rejoined Paus at Anorthosis and Brazilian Alan Da Silva Souza is currently on the books of Greek club Ergotelis.