Mattocks moves to Sliema

Claude Mattocks has joined Maltese champions Sliema Wanderers FC on a season-long loan from Floriana FC.

Loan swap
The midfield player will spend the coming campaign at Sliema with defender Ian Ciantar moving in the opposite direction to spend the season with Floriana. The 24-year-old Mattocks has been with Floriana for the last 14 years, although he was initially associated with Sliema as a young boy.

'New challenge'
"I am really looking forward to this new challenge, and ready to step into it," Mattocks told uefa.com. "I am, of course, delighted that Sliema showed an interest in me. This means that they have faith in my abilities, and it is now up to me to repay the best team on the island."

Kaunas task
Mattocks is keen to make a strong impression at Sliema, who travel to Lithuania for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League first qualifying round tie against FBK Kaunas next week, trailing 2-0. "My immediate objective is to win a place in the Sliema side, though it will be difficult," he said. "But I am looking forward to a good season with Sliema."