by Hibernians, Mgarr United, Valletta, San Gwann, Lija Athletic & Mtarfa all made key announcements in the past week as the season start beckons tonight. Having had their starts in the Assikura Women’s League, Sara Saliba & Kaysia Micallef will both be heading to Italy this season, while Maria Farrugia will be continuing her spell in England after securing a move to Sheffield United. Marta Grosso, Andjela Kricak and Anastasia Sivolobova will all be playing their football in mainland Europe following their own spells in the Maltese league.
Hibs Announce Dimech & Harrington
The Paolites made two fresh announcements that strengthen their defensive unit. Jessica Dimech returned to Hibernians, following a spell with Swieqi United that led to the clinching of the Assikura Women’s Knockout in the 2022/23 season. The defender brings a physical presence to Kenneth Costantino’s side, as well as a versatility that will come in handy, considering her ability to play at the heart of the defence, as a full-back as well as a defensive midfielder.
Meanwhile, the team also brought in goalkeeper Liz Harrington, after last season’s signing Zeeyana Jivraj departed mid-way through the season following injury. Sharon Costantino made a few appearances, while youngster Maya Muscat held her own once eligible. However, there’s no doubt that the Paolites rest easier with the latest addition who will be looking to impress on the Maltese stage as the side aim toward a record title.
Mgarr United Continue Spree, San Gwann Capture Russell From B’Kara
The Greens announced three more signings over the week. Colombian duo Alejandra Villegas and Valeria Villegas will strengthen the width and centre of attack, with the two already hitting the ground running in pre-season. Meanwhile, Argentinian Yanina Mendez will be another addition to the defence as the team looks to improve on last year’s fourth-place finish.
Their arrival follows that of Maltese duo Veronique Mifsud and Ann-Marie Said, who were announced earlier in the window.
Meanwhile, San Gwann landed a forward threat in bringing Birkirkara’s January signing Hailey Russell to the fold. The striker did not get much match time under Jose’ Borg’s tenure last season, although made an appearance against the Paolites late in the season.
While Chaimaa Tourki, Andjela Kricak and Rabab Mhalli were often major attacking threats, Julian Camilleri’s side relied heavily on Shania Gheiti to bring home the goals last year from the box. The addition of Hailey Russell will surely add depth to the Yellows’ squad as they attempt to build on last season’s return.
Lija, Mtarfa & Valletta Confirm More Retentions
Lija Athletic confirmed that Daniela Camilleri will be staying with the club permanently with the number eight having brought plenty of determination and a few key contributions to the team last year. The side also announced the return of Kylie Pantalleresco, who returns to the women’s league after having had spells with Mgarr United and Mosta.
Mtarfa will be retaining the services of Maria Abdilla who served both in goal and in attack for the Blues last season. Additionally, defender Rebecca Zammit will also be staying on, with the number twenty-two having also captained the side in the past.
The team also announced two young signings in Emily Farrugia who joins from Mgarr United, while Saleisha Ghigo will be making the switch from Birkirkara. The duo debuted for the Blues in the Assikura Women’s Youth League game on Wednesday in a 1-0 defeat against San Gwann.
Meanwhile, Valletta confirmed the renewal of three youngsters in Inola Sevil, Emma Camilleri and Jaia Farrugia.
Maria Farrugia Heads To Sheffield, Sara Saliba & Kaysia Micallef Land Italian Contracts
Malta’s number ten Maria Farrugia will be continuing her spell in the Barclays Women’s Championship with Sheffield United this season. Farrugia continues her spell in England’s second-tier following a campaign with Lewes Women, during which she also landed the Player of the Month accolade.
She was also one of Malta’s standout performers in the recently concluded UEFA Women’s European Qualification matches, scoring the country’s only two goals, while being an asset in driving the team forward against pressure.
Capable of playing on the wing, as well as driving the attack, Farrugia’s low centre of gravity and speed makes her an asset to the United team as they look to push on from last season’s seventh place finish. They kick-off their campaign on the 8th of September against Farrugia’s former team, Durham.
Meanwhile, Sara Saliba will be donning the red and black of Milan next season with the young forward being another one of Malta’s brightest upcoming talents. Capable of playing as a central striker, as well as on the wing, the 2022/23 MFA Best Youth League Player has had a successful tally with Birkirkara, including clinching the treble last season, and will be looking to cement a stay in Italian football following a failed transfer to Pomigliano last summer.
Kaysia Micallef will also be heading to Sampdoria, joining up with another former Swieqi United player Nina-Lee Naudi. Naudi will be continuing her stay with the team, after a strong season at U15 and U17 level.
Meanwhile, Kaysia Micallef will be making her first foray abroad, with Sampdoria continuing to be strongly linked with Maltese talents. The winger had a strong showing last year, having secured the MFA Best Youth League Player last season, following clinching the double with the Owls in the Youth category, while grabbing the top-scorer accolade. Often trusted on the wing, and with bursting pace, the left-footed teenager also made several strong showings at senior level as the Owls secured a second-place finish in the Assikura Women’s League.
Making The Jump From Malta
Having announced her departure from Birkirkara in previous weeks, last year’s MFPA Best Player of The Year, Marta Grosso, will be heading to Danish side, Næstved HG. The Italian makes the switch following two seasons with Malta’s champions Birkirkara, during which she secured five trophies, was part of the teams that secured the only two victories for a Maltese team in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, besides landing the individual accolade last year.
Serbian Andjela Kricak will also be departing Maltese shores following a season with San Gwann. Her technical work spurred San Gwann to their double-points finish, besides also being involved in coaching at U16 level. Having had spells in the US and in her native country, the Serbian will now head to the Turkish Super League with recently promoted Unye FC as they bid to stick the landing in Turkey’s top flight.
Finally, Moldovan Anastasia Sivolobova has also departed Mgarr United and has headed to Slovenian champions NS Mura. The Moldovan defender was one of the most utilised players by the Greens last year as they secured a fourth place finish, while also coming to blows against Malta’s national team in the UEFA Women’s Nations League where Malta secured top-spot and Moldova clinched a third-place finish.
Having been the centre-stage for the above players to show their craft in the past year, the Assikura Women’s League will be returning tonight as Hibernians welcome Swieqi United at the Centenary Stadium at 20:15.
Make sure to never miss an Assikura Women’s League match by syncing your calendar here.
Lead Images: Michael Azzopardi / Tedeschi e Partners Management / Sheffield United Women
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