Liberia international striker Patrick Ronaldinho Wleh took his many fans by surprise when he announced that he had joined Maltese Premier League side, Floriana Football Club.

The towering striker broke the news via his official Facebook page: “Pleased to announce that I’ve mutually ended my contract with Petrojet in Egypt and moved to Europe to sign with Maltese Premier League club, Floriana FC. Excited for the challenge in Europe and looking forward to creating history together.”

The news of Wleh joining Floriana shocked many Liberians who expected to see him resume playing club football in Egypt with Petrojet. In May, the Egyptian club announced the signing of Wleh and the striker later arrived in Egypt for the pre-season with the team. He played a few test matches and was expected to make his league debut on the opening day of the season against Zamalek SC. However, he wasn’t seen in the club’s matchday squad.

Without any information from the club, it was widely believed that the striker had suffered an injury which was preventing him from making his debut in Egypt. He was again absent from the club’s second league match against Ismaily SC and his absence raised further concerns until he broke the news of joining Floriana FC in Malta. The deal will last for one year.

Wleh becomes the second Liberian to play in Malta behind Adolphus Marshall, who plays for Gudja United in the Maltese First Division. Marshall moved to Malta at the beginning of the 2017-18 season when he joined Gudja United in the second division. He helped the club win the league title and get promoted to the first division at the end of the season.

Playing in Malta will be Wleh’s first experience of playing in Europe after spending most of his time as a professional footballer in Malaysia, where he played for Sime Darby FC, PKNS FC, and Selangor FA. He told The Bush Chicken that he is aware of the challenge and was prepared for it before making the decision.

“I’ve played in Asia but I know it’s a different thing to play in Europe,” he said. “Long before I made the decision, I was aware of the challenge that lies ahead of me. I’ll prepare to work harder than ever before. There are great expectations and I must live up to them.”

Unfortunately for Wleh, his first game in Malta saw his team falling to a 2-0 defeat at home on the opening day of the 2018-19 league season. Wleh, who continues to wear his same number, 4, was introduced in the 67^th minute but couldn’t prevent his new employer from going down to Hamrun Spartans FC. His second game for the club will be against Sliema Wanders FC on Friday, August 24.

Featured photo courtesy of Floriana FC