Defender Steve Borg will pursue his career in Cyprus after finalising his move to Aris Limassol, yesterday.
The 27-year-old, who was on the books of Valletta, put pen to paper on a two-year contract yesterday after passing his medical.
“This move abroad means everything to me,” Borg told Times of Malta from Cyprus.
“I have been working towards this target since I started playing football as this has been my lifelong dream.
“I never gave up hope and kept pushing myself in order to improve my prospects.
“This move has come a bit late in my career but at the same time, I didn’t want to rush as I preferred to complete my University studies because in football, you never know what might happen.
“Now that I have signed for Aris Limassol, I will try to make the most of this exciting opportunity.”
Long acclaimed as one of the strongest defenders in the Maltese Premier League, Borg will have been relieved to complete his move to Aris , who have been promoted to the top flight, after his ordeal last year.
He had turned down an approach from another Cypriot club, Anorthosis Famagusta, after receiving an offer from Platinum Stars but the South African club unexpectedly pulled the plug on the deal at the eleventh hour.
The robust central defender, who can also play at right-back, rejoined Valletta where he immediately recaptured his status as a first-team regular.
However, his exit had been on the cards after Aris Limassol declared their interest in the former Mosta player a couple of months ago.
“I would like to thank those people who helped me come this far,” Borg added.
“I’m grateful to Mosta, Valletta and the national team and, above all, my family and friends who have always supported me.”
Borg will become the second national team player to figure in the Cypriot championship as fellow international Andre Schembri plies his trade for Omonia Nicosia.
Floriana sign Pisani
Floriana yesterday secured their third signing of the close season when landing midfielder Jurgen Pisani from Pietà Hotspurs.
The Greens, under the charge of former Fiorentina and Cagliari striker Luis Oliveira, are looking to assemble a competitive squad for the new season and have already acquired the services of Italian midfielder Federico Usai and utility player Firas Aboulezz, who played for Tarxien Rainbows last season.
Club insiders told The Times of Malta that the former Malta U-21 winger Pisani put pen to paper on a five-year contract.
Elsewhere, Trevor Cilia has agreed to join Division One side Ħamrun Spartans from Sliema Wanderers on a two-year contract.
The former Malta international is the second signing for the Spartans this summer after midfielder Philip Chircop joined the Reds from Fgura United.