Jake Grech (born 18 November 1997) is a Maltese professional footballer currently playing with Floriana in the Maltese Premier League.[1]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jake Grech | ||
| Date of birth | 18 November 1997 | ||
| Place of birth | Pietà, Malta | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Floriana | ||
| Number | 8 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2013 | Hamrun Spartans | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2013–2017 | Hamrun Spartans | 32 | (12) |
| 2017–2019 | Birkirkara | 46 | (16) |
| 2019–2023 | Hibernians | 105 | (46) |
| 2023–2024 | Balzan | 12 | (1) |
| 2024- | Floriana | 17 | (2) |
| International career‡ | |||
| Malta U17 | 5 | (1) | |
| Malta U19 | 5 | (1) | |
| Malta U21 | 1 | (0) | |
| 2018– | Malta | 23 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16 October 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 1 December 2023 | |||
Club career
editĦamrun Spartans
editJake Grech rose through the ranks of Ħamrun Spartans, and debuted with the team in the Maltese First Division.[2] Grech was a protagonist in Ħamrun Spartans' return from all the way down the Maltese Second Division and re-establishment of the Spartans in the Maltese Premier League. Grech was a regular goalscorer and assistman for the Spartans.[3][4][5][6][7][8]
Birkirkara
editGrech's displays led to interest growing in him over the months.[9] In June 2017, Grech was transferred to Birkirkara F.C. for a record fee of €120,000.[3][10] Part of Grech's deal saw defender Daniel Zerafa move to Ħamrun.[11] Grech officially signed for Birkirkara on 18 June 2017.[4]
Balzan
editOn 21 June 2023, Grech signed a contract with Balzan.[12]
Floriana
editOn 26th January, 2024, Grech left Balzan and signed a contract with Floriana, having been swapped with Jan Busuttil, who signed for Balzan.
International career
editGrech has represented Malta in various youth categories, such as the Malta national under-17 football team, the Malta national under-19 football team and the Malta national under-21 football team.[13][14] He was instrumental in various matches and showed great promise, at times being decisive for his side.[15]
Upon being promoted as National Team manager, Ray Farrugia decided call up Jake Grech to the senior squad, amongst other players.[16][17] In fact, Grech's first match with the Malta national football team was against Armenia in a match that ended in a draw.[18][19]
Style of play
editDuring the team's spell in the lower divisions, Grech received a lot of playing time which helped him develop into a goal-scoring offensive-minded midfielder.[2][3][4]
Personal life
editJake is the son of former Ħamrun Spartans star Marco Grech. Jake's brother Luke Grech is also a professional footballer, who also came up through Ħamrun Spartans's youth set up.[10]
References
edit- ^ Jake Grech at Soccerway
- ^ a b "BOV Second Division | Malta Football Association". mfa.com.mt. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ a b c "Jake Grech moves to Birkirkara for EUR 120,000 – local transfer record". maltawinds.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ a b c "Birkirkara FC - Player Profile". birkirkarafc.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ "Valletta dig deep to edge plucky Maroons; Hamrun back to winning form against 10-man Sliema". The Malta Independent. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ "Floriana and Ħamrun share the spoils in a draw". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ "Hamrun Spartans shock Hibernians | Hamrun Spartans FC". hamrunspartans.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ "inewsmalta.com". inewsmalta.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ Allied Newspapers Ltd. "Birkirkara close in on U-21 midfielder Grech". timesofmalta.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ a b "Birkirkara jiktbu lill-MFA għal erba' plejers...Jake Grech l-akbar kolp". TVM. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ Allied Newspapers Ltd. "Stripes strike deal for Grech". timesofmalta.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ "Balzan FC completed the signing of Malta international midfielder Jake Grech". 18 July 2023.
- ^ "Under-21 - Malta - Jake Grech". UEFA.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ "Jake Grech heartened by team's display in Swiss defeat | Malta Football Association". mfa.com.mt. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ "Jake Grech stunner gives Malta U21 team a merited win over Latvia". The Malta Independent. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ Allied Newspapers Ltd. "Farrugia opts for a blend of youth and experience in Malta squad". timesofmalta.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ "Farrugia finalises Malta squad for Armenia and Georgia friendlies". The Malta Independent. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ Allied Newspapers Ltd. "Farrugia's Malta earn draw against Armenia". timesofmalta.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ "Brave Malta in 1-1 draw against Armenia in friendly | Malta Football Association". mfa.com.mt. Retrieved 22 June 2018.