by The whiff of July brings back Transfer Thursdays as we gear up for a 2025/26 season that one hopes will build on the successes of 2024/25. Swieqi, Mgarr and San Gwann are betting on plenty of consistency in their coaching staff to build on their last positive campaigns, while Hibernians and Valletta announced reshuffles. Billy Mock also confirmed his signature with Birkirkara to TVM Sport. San Gwann retained the signature of last season’s top scorer Hailey Russell. Hibernians & Swieqi announced Birkirkara swoops.
Swieqi Retain Youth Philosophy As They Embark On Title Defence
Swieqi United appear to be sticking to a youthful team as they head into the 2025/26 season as defending champions. The Owls welcome back Kaysia Micallef, one of the brightest prospects, having had a stellar 2023/24 campaign at youth level while also breaking into the senior side that year. She stepped into foreign waters last season at Sampdoria and will return to the Owls this year.
Meanwhile, striker Sara Saliba will be donning different stripes as the former Birkirkara forward returns to the domestic footballing scene. She is another reuniting with her former youth coach, Dorianne Theuma, who coached her at Birkirkara as well. Saliba is no stranger to the Assikura Women’s League having played a crucial role with Birkirkara in their exploits in the 22/23 and 23/24 seasons. She also returns to the domestic scene following experiences gained in Italy with Pomigliano and more recently A.C. Milan.
Valentina Rapa also makes the switch from Birkirkara, thus reuniting with former coach Dorianne Theuma and former teammate Sara Saliba. Despite the young age, the Gozitan centre-back will be another bringing title-winning experience having become a regular for the Stripes in the last two seasons.
They will be led by a stable senior coaching team which was confirmed to remain unchanged following last year’s successes. This means that Dorianne Theuma will continue to be assisted by Mandy Debono and Keith Gouder, while Luke Borg and Yandrick Cassar lead the fitness and goalkeeping specialized sections.
However, there will be change in the coaching at youth level as the Owls welcome Francesco Galluzzo. He departs Valletta after two seasons coaching in the women’s sector and formerly formed part of Raiders Lija prior the latter’s merge with Valletta. Galluzzo will bring experience but will also have his work cut out for him as he looks to build on the growth of the team while aiming to steer Swieqi to retain the crown at youth level.
There was more news on the youth front as U16 top scorer Katrine Jorgensen will be heading for a trial to Ajax.
Billy Mock To Birkirkara
TVM Sport published an interview yesterday morning with Billy Mock, effectively breaking the news that he will be leading the Stripes’ women’s team this upcoming season. Swieqi United had confirmed that the former football director and coach, Billy Mock, had departed the club earlier in the window. Birkirkara took to a new social media page on Facebook announcing the committee for the upcoming season and teasing the new coaching announcement which was confirmed later in the day. He replaces Vince Galea after just one season in charge.
In his first interview with TVM Sport, Mock described Birkirkara as ‘a glorious team’ and a ‘team that is not unknown’. The Stripes are joint holders for the most titles in the women’s game, tied on twelve titles with Hibernians. Mock described the competition tough in Mgarr United, Swieqi United and Hibernians, but underscored his desire to lead the Stripes back to the top.
Despite already having confirmed player departures to other teams Mock dismissed rumours of instability in Birkirkara. He stated that his first meeting with the team went well, underlining strong backing from the committee and that he is eyeing a fruitful window with foreign signatures and an importance on youth development.
Vella To Continue Steering Mgarr, Consistency In Squad
Like Swieqi United, Mgarr United’s success during the last season, lifting the first major title, has been deemed to be the correct recipe for further success. Coach Ryan Vella was confirmed to continue leading the team alongside analyst Nathaniel Camilleri, both of whom will stay on for this upcoming season.
There is also plenty of consistency announced in player retentions as Yanina Mendez and Alejandra Villegas Caly are confirmed for the upcoming season. Valeria Villegas Caly, Leanne Cefai, Giulia D’Antuono, Shakira Camilleri, Maria Mizzi and Daniela Said Ebejer also signed two year deals.
Reshuffle For Hibernians As Martina Borg Steps Into Senior Coaching & Maya Cachia Signs As Goalkeeper
On the other hand, Hibernians confirmed the departure of Kenneth Costantino, Sharon Costantino and Ian Cachia from the technical setup at senior level. Former captain Martina Borg will step into senior team coaching for the first time, following stints coaching at youth club and also international level.
She will be assisted by Jeffrey Azzopardi, while Danilo Sgroi returns to women’s football as goalkeeper’s coach for Hibernians. Sgroi was the goalkeeper coach for San Gwann in the 2022/23 season. Meanwhile, Michael Baldacchino will stay on as strength and conditioning coach for another year, while Glenn Mizzi continues as Team Manager and Media Officer.
There were also several confirmed departures from Hibernians as goalkeeper Elizabeth Harrington and playmaker Joelma Alves Gabriel both departed the club after one year. Forward Alexis Espitia will also not be donning the Hibernians shirt next season after three years with the club, scoring 43 goals in 59 games, and chipping in with more than 35 assists.
However, the club confirmed that Natalee Geren is renewed. Another looking to invest in youth prospects, Hibernians have also since announced the arrival of twenty-year old goalkeeper Maya Cachia, another departee from Birkirkara. Beside last season’s exploits with Birkirkara, Cachia brings experiences from Italy having had several spells including most recently at Como.
San Gwann Consolidate Coaching Setups & Retain Russell
San Gwann will continue to be led by Julian Camilleri for a third season. This year he will be assisted by Shania Borg, while Duncan Abdilla will continue to lead the physical training.
Denilson Borg takes more of an overarching role with the senior team but will continue to lead at youth level. This time, Borg will lead both youth cohorts at the U21 (formerly U19) and U16 levels. He will be assisted by Rhea Borg and Wayne Baldacchino, while Duncan Abdilla will also take care of the physical conditioning in these cohorts.
Shania Borg and Annabelle Rapa will also continue coaching the youngest age groups, the U13 and U10 levels respectively, building on the foundations set.
Besides confirming the coaching setups, San Gwann confirmed that Hailey Russell will be staying with the club following a spectacular first season in Yellow in which she finished top scorer in the Assikura Women’s League, aiding the team to earn their best finish yet.
Several youngsters also confirmed their stay with the club in Krista Almari, Cenere Ganado, Maya Mallia, Lexi Sant and Sarah Bezzina.
Valletta Confirm Reshuffle
Valletta will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2024/25 campaign with a reshuffle announced in committee and coaches.
Anton Cremona will be leading both the senior and the U21 cohorts, taking over from Jean Lopes and Francesco Galluzzo respectively. Meanwhile, Julian Buhagiar will continue building at U16 level following earning the club’s first trophy in women’s football by leading the U16 team to the BNF Women’s Knockout.
Claudette Taliana will be leading as Committee Delegate for the women’s sector.
Lead Images: Hibernians Women / Michael Azzopardi ( Swieqi United )
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