by The transfer announcements came thick and fast in the past week as the season start approaches. Mgarr United captured the signature of former Birkirkara full-back Ann-Marie Said. The Stripes confirmed the signature of midfielder Yuna Hazekawa, while announcing Jonathan Muscat as youth coach. Lija Athletic secured goalkeeper Isabel Sanchez and defender Corrine Deguara, while Mtarfa confirmed three major retentions. Beyond Maltese shores, Lexine Farrugia will move to AS Roma’s Primavera team, Kailey Willis signed with Parma, while Raisa Costantino swapped to Gelbison Women.
Mgarr Sign Ann-Marie Said
The Greens secured the signature of Ann-Marie Said, who departs Birkirkara following an eight-year spell. Her signature bolsters the Greens’ defensive department, with the left-footed full-back also bringing versatility to Ryan Vella’s arsenal, as he attempts to improve on last season’s results and steer their challenge this season.
Ann-Marie Said’s time with Birkirkara was trophy-laden with seven league titles, six cups and four super cups. During the time with Birkirkara, the defender also formed part of a group achieving positive results on the international stage in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, while also being a crucial defender for Malta as the team secured promotion during the UEFA Women’s Nations League and during their performances in the UEFA Women’s European Qualifiers. This experience will be something that the Greens will look to capitalise on.
Having formed part of an established defence that dominated the domestic leagues in recent seasons, Said’s absence from left-back will certainly be an area that the Stripes will look to address. On the other hand, it opens the door for another to rise to the fore, with the left full-back position having at times been filled in by Valentina Rapa, Alishia Sultana, as well as Mariah Cardona, among others, in past years.
Ann-Marie Said becomes the second signing to swap the stripes of Birkirkara for the Green of Mgarr United in this window, following the arrival of Veronique Mifsud earlier in July.
Birkirkara Announce Hazekawa & Confirm Youth Coach Muscat
On the other hand, the Stripes announced the signature of Japanese midfielder Yuna Hazekawa from Cumberland University FC. Highly technical in her play, the Stripes will hope she can take on the mantle following the departures of last year’s creative duo Marta Grosso and Veronique Mifsud.
Hazekawa expressed her excitement to join the defending champions, “I’m so honoured to be playing for this club and with such amazing players. I will continue working with my teammates for more success with this club!” The Japanese midfielder also rallied the support as the team looks to continue the winning streak, “Keep on supporting us because we need you behind us!”
Meanwhile, the Stripes also confirmed that Jonathan Muscat will be the head coach of the youth team, taking over from Pedro dos Santos following a one year spell with the team.
Lija Athletic Capture Sanchez & Deguara
Lija Athletic bolstered that goalkeeping department through the signature of Spaniard Isabel Sanchez, while having confirmed the signature of last season’s stalwart goalkeeper, Christiana Pisani, earlier in the window.
The team also captured Corrine Deguara from Mtarfa, who was a mainstay left-back for the side in the last campaign. Despite the Blues having had a tough time of things last season, the defender was one of the standout performers, with her performances catching the eye of their nearest rivals who secured her signature. Bringing energy and a fighting attitude, her addition will continue to provide more depth to Jethron Azzopardi’s team to work with next season. On the other hand, it will be a hole that the Blues will look to plug as the season start draws closer.
Mtarfa Confirm Three Retentions
Despite losing their full-back, the Blues will look to mount an improved showing this season. There was positive news for their faithful as they confirmed that first-team members Oumayma Jelili, Darya Attard and Shania Spiteri will all be continuing their journey with the club.
Darya Attard’s signature will provide continuity in defence for the team as they look to build on the improvements shown at the latter end of the last league campaign. Meanwhile, Shania Spiteri and Oumayma Jelili were often entrusted in midfield. The Blues will certainly be happy to confirm their first-team members, while seeking to strengthen the departments in search of improved showings.
Farrugia, Costantino & Willis To Continue In Italy
This week also brought announcements of further signatures abroad. Lexine Farrugia will continue her spell in Italy with Serie A leaders AS Roma, following a debut season with Sampdoria’s Primavera team. Her positive performances with Sampdoria’s youth team earned her a senior debut against Juventus. It appears that these performances caught the eyes of the Italian champions, with the seventeen-year-old continuing her development with Roma’s Primavera side.
Kailey Willis is understood to have signed a deal with Parma Calcio Women, but will remain at Venezia on loan this season. Willis moved to Venezia last January from Meran Women, where she had a strong goal return of fifteen goals in seventeen appearances.
Goalkeeper Raisa Costantino will also be continuing her spell in Italy, with Gelbison Women who will mount their challenge in Girone C in the Serie C. The goalkeeper makes the switch from Sardinian side SPD Tharros, with whom she made sixteen appearances.
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Lead Images: Lexine Farrugia / Mgarr United Women / Birkirkara FC
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