Igor Coronado has strengthened his prospects of securing a move to Serie B club Trapani after the Floriana playmaker produced a lively performance in a 1-1 draw against Sampdoria in a friendly match on Saturday.
Coronado, who joined Trapani for a trial last week following discussions between Floriana president Riccardo Gaucci and Serse Cosmi, the coach of the Sicilian club, entered the fray in the second half.
The Brazilian had two good chances to put his name on the scoresheet but was denied by a great save from Sampdoria goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli early in the second half and, eight minutes from time, his shot on the turn sailed marginally wide.
Sources told Times of Malta that Coronado has been asked to prolong his trial with Trapani as Cosmi is keen to further gauge the qualities of the talented playmaker who turns 23 next month.
Meanwhile, another young Floriana player, midfielder Conor Borg, yesterday left Malta to link up with Roma’s youth squad.
Long regarded as one of the brightest talents of Maltese football, Borg established himself as a first-choice player at Floriana last season after returning from a short spell with Italian club Chievo.
Earlier this year, reports emerged that Roma had agreed to sign the 18-year-old who earned his first call-up to the Malta senior squad for the friendly against Georgia (0-2) and the Euro 2016 qualifier against Azerbaijan (0-2) in March.
The plan is for Borg to practise with the Serie A club’s U-19 squad at their training complex in Trigoria for the next five days before travelling to Canada where the Roma youngsters will be taking part in a tournament.
After the squad returns from Canada, Floriana are expected to hold talks with Roma officials to discuss the best way forward for Borg who may be allowed to rejoin the Greens for season 2015/16.
Floriana are in the process of rebuilding their squad following the departure of coach Giovanni Tedesco, now in charge of Birkirkara, as well as a host of players, including Vito Plut and Brazilian Emerson Marcelina.
While Slovenian striker Plut moved to the Stripes on a free after his contract with Floriana expired at the end of last season, Marcelina was sold to Birkirkara after Tedesco identified the midfielder as one of his top targets.
Floriana, now under the guidance of former Fiorentina striker Luis Oliveira, have signed three Maltese players, namely goalkeeper Matthew Calleja Cremona, midfielder Firas Aboulezz and left-back Jurgen Pisani. Three foreign players are having a trial with the club and another two are expected to arrive this week.
On Saturday, Floriana, who started their pre-season only nine days ago, suffered a 5-0 defeat to Scottish Premier League side Hamilton in a friendly.