Manuel Bartolo is set to sign a five-year deal with Valletta after the Citizens and Msida St. Joseph reached a formal agreement over his transfer.

As part of the deal, Steve Bezzina joined Msida St. Joseph but the former international defender was immediately transferred to Mosta, signing a five-year deal.

A product of San Gwann, Manuel Bartolo made his Premier League debut in season 2005/06 with Msida St. Joseph. He spent the last two years on loan with Birkirkara and Floriana respectively.

Meanwhile Valletta will be hoping to strengthen the squad further with the signing of Frank Temile. The Nigerian-born striker played for Valletta in season 2007/08 but was transferred to Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine at the end of a very successful first season. Last season, he was loaned to PFC Olexandria.