Floriana FC continued to strengthen their squad with the signing of Argentine striker Julio Cesar Alcorse from Marsaxlokk. Alcorse was among six new players who joined the club this summer.
The Greens have in fact also signed Thomas Paris from Birkirkara, Christian Cassar from Marsaxlokk, Ghanian goalkeeper William Amamoo and Brazilian striker Edilson Fiori dos Santos while goalkeeper Matthew Towns who joined the club in February was offered a new contract.
Anothe two players, Joseph Borg and Luke Agius were offered new contracts by the club.
President Johann Said said that after winning the FA Trophy, the committee confirmed all the Maltese players which formed part of the squad, also signing the two players who were on loan with the club – Thomas Paris and Christian Cassar.
Julio Alcorse signed a one year contract and all the necessary paperwork has been deposited making Alcorse eligible to play in the UEFA Europa League matches against AEK Larnaca.
Twenty-nine year old Alcorse is a Boca Juniors product and is not a new face to Maltese football. He was brought to Malta in 2007 by Hibernians and since then also played with Marsaxlokk and Sliema Wanderers. He established himself as one of the most prolific strikers in the local league and in these past 4 seasons he scored over 40 goals.
After turning out for Boca, Alcorse played for FC Luzerne but then returned to Argentina, also playing for one season with Unión La Calera in Chile. Before joining Sliema, he had a short spell with Club Guaraní in Paraguay.
In his career, goalkeeper William Amamoo played for a number of clubs in Ghana before moving to Europe where he played for Farul Costanta in Romania, Syrianska Södertälje, Vasalunds IF and Enköpings SK in Sweden and FC Sopron in Hungary. Amamoo also played for FC Telecom Egypt in Egypt and Hapoel Petah Tikva in Israel.
On the other hand, for twenty-five year old striker Edilson Fiori dos Santos, this experience with Floriana will be his first ever outside his native Brazil.
Goalkeeper Matthew Towns had joined the Greens from English non-league side Droylsden.
Floriana president Johann Said explained that the club waited till the very last minute for Nigerian striker Daniel Nwoke who had joined the club mid-way through last season, leaving a very good impression with the club. However the player failed to return to the club after going for a holiday even if he was on contract until the end of July.
The Greens therefore had no option other than to release the player. Said announced that the club has filed a dispute over the player’s unprofessional behaviour at the Malta Football Association.
The Floriana president said that the club will be on the look out until the end of August for the possible signing of other players.