Koffi opts to stay at Ħamrun Spartans after change of heart on transfer to Turkish club

N’Dri Koffi will not be leaving Ħamrun Spartans this week, as the Times of Malta can confirm that his transfer to Turkish club Vansport has fallen through.

On the other hand, Italian midfielder Danilo Bulevardi has finalised his transfer to Ħamrun Spartans.

Koffi, the Ivory Coast striker, looked set to be heading to the Vansport, who play in the second-tier of Turkish football, after Ħamrun Spartans and Vansport had agreed a transfer fee for the forward.

However, sources close to the Spartans’ top hierarchy told the Times of Malta that the player had a change of heart and decided to stay with the Malta champions.

In fact, on Wednesday, Koffi was in the Spartans’ starting line-up against Floriana and helped the team secure a crucial 2-0 win over the Greens that enabled to cut the gap over the league leaders to just one point, with only a game to play.

Koffi arrived at Ħamrun Spartans at the start of the season and played a key role to help the team secure an historic qualification to the League Phase of the UEFA Conference League.

So far, the 23-year-old forward has made 31 appearances for the Spartans this season and scored eight goals.

Meanwhile, Ħamrun Spartans have completed the transfer of Italian midfielder Bulevardi.

The 30-year-old arrived in Malta on Monday, and on Tuesday, he agreed personal terms and finalised his transfer to the Malta champions.

Ħamrun coach Giacomo Modica is a great admirer of the player and in comments to the Times of Malta, he was upbeat that the player will not find it difficult to settle to the new surroundings.

Bulevardi started the season with Virtus Verona and made 17 appearances, scored one goal and provided two assists.