Sammut switches to Msida

Former Maltese Under-21 international captain Kevin Sammut has joined Msida St. Joseph FC from Sliema Wanderers FC on a one-year loan deal. Sammut, who has been with Sliema since he was in the under-eight squad save for a season loan at Hamrun Spartans FC in 2000/01, has found it difficult to command first-team football at the reigning champions despite being called into the senior Malta squad. The 23-year-old midfield player, who had a trial aged 18 at Manchester United FC but whose current training injury has kept him out of the national team's training camp in Switzerland, told uefa.com: "I am really happy to be joining Msida St. Joseph FC. The main reason I am leaving Sliema is because I want regular first-team football. I believe I have made the right move, and regular first-team football with Msida - who are a very ambitious club - ;can boost my Malta international chances even further."

Meanwhile, another international on the move is Scotland defender Stephen Crainey. The 23-year-old is leaving Southampton FC after being told by manager Paul Sturrock that he no longer features in his plans for the English Premiership club. Crainey, who joined Southampton from Celtic FC in January, has moved to relegated Leeds United AFC on a one-month loan with a view to a permanent move worth €300,000 when technicalities with the Scottish champions are sorted out. Capped six times, Crainey had an operation on his groin over the summer but was fit enough to be on the bench for Leeds' first match of the season today against Derby County FC.

Crainey's Scotland team-mate Paul Ritchie has moved to Dundee United FC on a six-month contract. The 28-year-old centre-back left Walsall FC at the end of last season and has been attracting interest from a number of other clubs on both sides of the border. Ritchie was on the bench for United's first league game of the season away to Dunfermline AFC which finished in a 1-1 draw.