Former St Patrick's Athletic and Drogheda United forward Declan O'Brien flies out to Malta tomorrow morning hoping to finalise a deal with Valetta. He told the PFAI website today that he is hopeful a deal can be done at a minimum until the end of their playing season which is May 2010.

O'Brien said "It's a tough decision to make to leave the league which I have played in for over10 years but I must put my family and my playing future first." "Fabio" has scored over a 100 goals in the league and has won every honour in the domestic game. Floriana have firsthand knowledge of O'Brien after his goalscoring exploits for St Pat's in their wonderful run in Europe this year.

"The club obviously became aware of me when I scored against them home and away this year." He concluded "I'm excited by the prospect and hopefully everything can be sorted on the contract over the next 24 hours".

A press conference is expected in Malta tomorrow afternoon.