New signings for Lija Athletic

Newly-promoted Lija Athletic strengthened their squad after securing the services of Djamel Leeflang, Ousmane Sidibe, Jonathan Martinelli and Zack Bowman.

Twenty-five year old midfielder Djamel Leeflang started his career with Vitesse Delft and after a spell with Dwltras Sidoarjo, he returned to the Netherlands where he played for Haaglandia. He moved to Malta in January 2015 to join Valletta. The following season, he moved to Qormi and earlier this year, moved to New Radiant Sports Club in the Maldives.

After playing in Spain for Real Betis’ third team, Gimnastic de Tarragona’s second team, Jove Espanol de San Vicente and CD Teruel, twenty-six year old Ousmane Sidibe moved to Malta in 2013 to join Vittoriosa Stars and later played for Pembroke Athleta and Qormi.

A product of Birkirkara, twenty-two year old Jonathan Martinelli has been playing for Senglea Athletic for the past three years. He joins Lija on a one-year loan. On the other hand, twenty-two year old defender Zack Bowman joins the club on a one-year loan from San Gwann. Bowman played for St. Andrews before joining San Gwann and making his debut for the senior team at an early age.

Meanwhile Albanian striker Erjon Beu will be staying with the club after agreeing a three-year deal. Nigerian striker Abubakar Bello-Osagie also agreed a new deal with the club.