by Joelma Alves Gabriel will be donning the shirt of Hibernians next season, while Marta Grosso and Simone Buttigieg will not re-appear with their clubs. Valletta confirmed the signature of Kim Fava amid extensions, while Lija Athletic and Birkirkara confirmed Samira Bouzid’s and Hailey Micallef’s futures. San Gwann secured four signings with their youth ranks.
Hibernians Secure Joelma Alves Gabriel
The Paolites have captured the signature of Brazilian playmaker Joelma Alves Gabriel. She transfers after a maiden season in Malta with Mgarr United during which she finished as joint top scorer in the Assikura Women’s League with Swieqi United’s Salamatu Abdulai, on eighteen goals.
Besides having an eye for goal, the Brazilian brings creative flair which the Paolites missed at times last season, especially when injuries took their toll on their starting eleven, especially missing captain Martina Borg. The signature of Joelma Alves Gabriel is the second major signing for the team, following the arrival of Ileana Farrugia from Birkirkara. Creative flair was not only limited to the football pitch, but also in the way Alves Gabriel was announced with the club.
Grosso Departs Birkirkara, Micallef Extends
Last year’s MFPA Player of the Year, Marta Grosso, has announced her departure from the Stripes following two seasons with the team. She had a trophy-laden spell with the club winning two Assikura Women’s League titles, two Super Cups and one Assikura Women’s Knockout. She also formed part of a squad who secured two victories in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Last season, Grosso cemented her place in the first eleven, chipping in with thirteen goals and created a lot more along the way to support the team in securing the treble.
She becomes the second playmaker to leave Birkirkara, following also the departure of Veronique Mifsud who signed with Mgarr United. The Stripes are yet to announce any new signings with the senior squad.
On the other hand, the team have confirmed that Hailey Micallef will extend her stay with the club, following a mid-season switch from Lija Athletic last January. The wide forward settled in quickly with the U16 squad, helping them on to secure the BNF U16 Women’s Knockout and will set sights on continuing her positive spell with the U19 team.
Lija Athletic Confirm Bouzid, But Lose Captain Buttigieg
Lija Athletic will hold on to defender Samira Bouzid, who confirms the switch from Mtarfa. The defender made a number of key appearances at the back last season, as the club made a strong return to the Assikura Women’s League.
Her confirmation boosts the team, but there will be big boots to fill in midfield as captain Simone Buttigieg ended her seventeen-year-spell as a player. Buttigieg was a vocal captain for the side on their return, using her experience to set the tone of a never-say-die attitude, which enabled a strong debut to finish joint second on points with San Gwann.
Valletta Sign Fava & Announce Extensions
Valletta have secured themselves a young forward in Kim Fava, who makes the switch from Swieqi United. She made her debut under the tutelage of Saviour Darmanin with Swieqi United in the opening match of the season last year, while also contributing to the U19 team to secure the double last season. Her signature will continue boosting Valletta’s forward line, following also the return of Marcelle de Oliveira Julio.
The club also confirmed the extension of two more players in Alicia Mifsud and Sara Anneloes Shaladi. Mifsud became a more prominent figure at the latter end of last season in the Assikura Women’s League, often employed on the width. Meanwhile, Sara Anneloes Shaladi will continue rising in the youth ranks with the team as they seek to build on last year’s encouraging debut.
San Gwann Secure Young Quartet
The Yellows have continued to add to their young ranks through the signing of four new players. Siblings Lisa and Amy Spiteri will join the U16 team, having transferred from Hibernians. The club has also added depth in the U19 team, following the signature of Angele Oliver who also signs from the Paolites, while Svea Bartolo made the switch from Mgarr United.
Lead Images: Michael Azzopardi / Lara Schembri
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