by Transfer announcements have continued to stir waters as Hibernians, Mgarr & San Gwann all claimed signatures from Valletta & former Mtarfa & Lija players. Valletta responded in quantity confirming intent to compete. Abroad, Fiona Buttigieg will extend at Luton, while Raisa Costantino and Jana Barbara signed for new clubs. Oceane Grange will also depart Roubaix Femenine.
Hibernians Announce Trio
The Paolites have made their splash in the market over the past two weeks, with three signatures announced. Laura Muscat becomes the latest to depart Valletta, another of the former Raiders Lija group to seek new pastures. The young forward will be looking to reignite the attacking form, joining former teammates Georgiana Mifsud, Sarah Vella Barberi and Leah Ayres.
Seventeen-year old Lisa Calleja will also join the Paolites, bringing a killer left foot and height to their forward line. The youngster had a good short spell with Lija Athletic last season, making her announcement to the league with a debut goal in the second phase of the season. Calleja will be a familiar figure to Martina Borg, following Borg’s stint as assistant coach at youth national level until the end of last season.
Finally, Calista Schechinger makes the switch from Birkirkara after one year with the Stripes. The American defender will be seeking for a strong second season in Malta with Hibernians as they battle to become the first team to clinch a thirteenth league title.
Hibernians also confirmed that there will be a continuation in coaching at youth level with Kathleen Saliba continuing at the helm for the U21 and U16 teams. She will continue to be assisted by Kayleigh Chetcuti. The duo steered the young Paolites to defend their league title at U16 level, while improving the standing at U19 level, earning runners-up finishes in both the league and knockout competitions.
Mgarr United Bolster With Youths
The Greens were another team ready to snatch at the talent departing Valletta. Gaia Antonelli will don the Green shirt, with the youngster having a strong presence on the wing at the Citizens and in her Raiders Lija days.
Mgarr United also captured the signature of Angele Fenech from Mtarfa, with the youngster having made several senior appearances for the Blues at defence and on the wings. Meanwhile, the team also confirmed that Milena Stagno will return to the club following the dismantling of the Lija Athletic senior team.
Local Patricia Ebejer will continue her stay with her home team for a further two more years as the Greens seek to take the battle to the top of the league table and defend their Assikura Women’s Knockout title this season.
Finally, Raymond Vella will continue his work alongside Ryan Vella and Nathaniel Camilleri, with the tacticians looking to increase the silverware in the Greens’ trophy cabinet following a successful full debut season together in the women’s game.
San Gwann Claim Two More From Valletta
The Yellows are not yet done and have secured two further signatures from the Citizens. Winger Alicia Mifsud will don the San Gwann crest, becoming another to make the switch from Valletta following recent announcements.
Experienced forward Rodianne Zerafa also makes the switch following a loan spell from Hibernians at Valletta. The striker will hope to bring further firepower as San Gwann continue to saturate their squad depth as they seek to build on last season’s growth in the table and close the gap to the top four.
The team also confirmed that Naila Addomah will extend her stay at San Gwann following her introduction at the second phase of last season. She will be available at senior and U21 level. Meanwhile, the team confirmed the signature of Lisa Spiteri at U16 level.
Valletta Response
Having continued to battle departures, Valletta have made several announcements over the past weeks showing defiance and an intention to compete.
The Citizens confirmed that Shakira Bugeja, Edera Marmara’, Sarah Micallef and Ilona Sultana have made the switch from Lija Athletic, to continue under the tutelage of Anton Cremona. The coach formerly stood in for Jethron Azzopardi at Lija Athletic, with the quartet seeking to battle under his guidance with a new emblem.
Joining the side will also be Ruth Micallef who makes the switch from Mtarfa. The youngster showed promising displays with the Blues at youth and senior level, though hampered by injury. Valletta will be hoping Micallef can stay in full fitness as they seek to take their emblem up the women’s league table.
Kristina Zammit is also confirmed to make the switch, with the defender having former short stints at San Gwann, Birkirkara and Swieqi United.
The Citizens also continued boosting their U21 squad with signatures of Aalliyah Bonnici Carbonaro, Phoebe Camilleri, Ulani Awal, Yasmine Saber Hamam and Kelsey Cachia. Ulani Awal, Phoebe Camilleri and Kelsey Cachia have all featured strongly at senior level, offering the potential to bridge the squads. The U16 squad was also strengthened with the introduction of Mia Spiteri and Alaizah Vassallo.
Buttigieg Extends As Costantino, Barbara & Grange Seek New Pastures
Further news from foreign shores also bring a confirmation for Fiona Buttigieg at Luton Town. The full-back has signed on for another season as the team battle new ground following their promotion last season.
Raisa Costantino will make another switch from Gelbison Women to Venezia in Serie C*.
Jana Barbara will switch Schalke 04’s colours for those of VfR Warbeyen following their promotion into the second-tier of the Frauen Bundesliga.
On the other hand, Oceane Grange has confirmed that she will move on from Racing Club Roubaix Wervicq Feminin. The French side just missed out on promotion to the French second tier last season.
*Edit: amended from Serie B.
Lead Images: Elise Bajada / Lara Schembri
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