Birkirkara FC have confirmed that an agreement has been reached with Italian Serie C side FC Arzignano Valchiampo for the permanent transfer of central defender Alessandro Coppola, with the player set to make his return to the Stripes.

The club announced that further details regarding Coppola’s return will be communicated shortly, with the 25-year-old defender expected to be officially unveiled as a new Birkirkara FC player tomorrow.

Birkirkara have been particularly active during the current January transfer window. The club has already confirmed the departures of Stefan Marjanovic, Pablo Gaitán and Abubakar Asumah, making it clear that a squad rebuild is underway. Strengthening the team with new signings has been a priority, and reports emerging from Italy in recent days have pointed strongly towards Coppola’s return.

Several Italian media outlets reported Coppola’s imminent departure from Arzignano, a move that was also confirmed publicly by the club’s head coach Daniele Di Donato during a press conference. The same reports indicated that the defender was close to reaching a full agreement with Birkirkara, paving the way for his comeback to Maltese football.

Coppola is no stranger to the club, having previously spent three seasons with Birkirkara FC before leaving Malta last summer to join Arzignano in the Italian third tier. Despite enjoying regular playing time in Serie C, it is understood that the player himself requested the transfer in order to return to the Malta Premier and rejoin the Stripes.

His return is expected to significantly bolster Birkirkara’s defensive options as the club looks to regroup and push forward in the second half of the season.