Birkirkara sign Jhonnattann

Birkirkara secured the services of Brazilian striker Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao.

Jhonnattann had joined Valletta in June, leaving a very good impression and scoring three of the goals in Valletta’s 9-0 aggregate win over FC Lusitans in the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round. However he was then released by the Citizens.

In Brazil, he played for Cardoso Moreira FC, Teresópolis and spent the last three years with Volta Redonda.

Jhonnattann will replace Jorge Santos Silva who left the club last month to return to his native Brazil, joining Atlético Paranaense in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B.

Santos Silva arrived in Malta in summer 2010 to join Vittoriosa Stars. The following season, he moved to Sliema but in January, the Brazilian striker moved to Birkirkara.

Meanwhile Birkirkara loaned Under-21 international Leighton Grech to Qormi. Grech, who had earlier played for Vittoriosa Stars and Hibernians, joined the Stripes last summer but was loaned to Vittoriosa in January.

On the other hand, the club loaned Alan Tabone to Second Division side Zebbug Rangers.