Birkirkara have started what looks set to be a major squad reshuffle ahead of the new season, with the club confirming the departure of several players from last season’s squad.
Among those leaving the Stripes are Shaun Dimech, Leandro Lacunza, Manuel Morello, Fran Lopez, Luis Cordova, Roni Santos, Donovan Makoma, Sebastian Viveros, Jacques Bayo, Jere Vrcic and Alessandro Coppola.
The list includes a number of players who featured prominently during the campaign, with midfielder Donovan Makoma among those who caught the eye on several occasions last season.
Birkirkara endured a disappointing campaign by their standards, in a season marked by instability and change. No fewer than three coaches took charge of the team throughout the year, a situation which reflected the uncertainty around the squad and the direction of the club.
However, the club now appears to be moving into a new phase following the arrival of Dr Chris Cardona as president, taking over from the previous president, Michael Valenzia.
The latest departures suggest that Birkirkara are preparing for a significant rebuild, with the squad expected to be reshaped to better suit the style of play wanted by Paul Zammit, who ended last season in charge of the team.
An important move has also taken place in the technical sector, with Stefan Sultana, a long-standing pillar at Ħamrun Spartans, set to join Birkirkara’s technical staff. His arrival is expected to further strengthen Paul Zammit’s backroom team as the Stripes look to build a more structured and competitive project ahead of the new season.
So far, Birkirkara have remained quiet in the transfer market, but that should not necessarily be seen as a concern. Unlike some of their domestic rivals, the Stripes are not involved in European competition or qualifying rounds this summer, giving them more time to plan carefully ahead of the new campaign.
The coming weeks could therefore prove important for Birkirkara, as the club looks to rebuild with a clearer structure, a more defined football identity and a squad capable of responding after a below-par season.
Change has started at Birkirkara, both on the pitch and within the technical setup, and more movement is expected before the new season kicks off.
