Jake Grech

Jake Grech (born 18 November 1997) is a Maltese professional footballer currently playing with Hibernians in the Maltese Premier League.

Jake Grech
Personal information
Full name Jake Grech
Date of birth (1997-11-18) 18 November 1997
Place of birth Pieta, Malta
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Hibernians
Number 8
Youth career
–2013 Ħamrun Spartans
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2017 Ħamrun Spartans 96 (34)
2017–2019 Birkirkara 25 (11)
2019– Hibernians 1 (0)
National team‡
Malta U17 5 (1)
Malta U19 5 (1)
Malta U21 1 (0)
2018– Malta 7 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22 June 2018
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 6 October 2019

Club career

Ħamrun Spartans

Jake Grech rose through the ranks of Ħamrun Spartans, and debuted with the team in the Maltese First Division.[1] 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.[2][3][4][5][6][7]

Birkirkara

Grech's displays led to interest growing in him over the months.[8] In June 2017, Grech was transferred to Birkirkara F.C. for a record fee of €120,000.[2][9] Part of Grech's deal saw defender Daniel Zerafa move to Ħamrun.[10] Grech officially signed for Birkirkara on 18 June 2017.[3]

International career

Grech 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.[11][12] He was instrumental in various matches and showed great promise, at times being decisive for his side.[13]

Upon being promoted as National Team manager, Ray Farrugia decided call up Jake Grech to the senior squad, amongst other players.[14][15] In fact, Grech's first match with the Malta national football team was against Armenia in a match that ended in a draw.[16][17]

Style of play

During 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.[1][2][3]

Personal life

Jake 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.[9]

References
  1. "BOV Second Division | Malta Football Association". mfa.com.mt. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  2. "Jake Grech moves to Birkirkara for EUR 120,000 – local transfer record". maltawinds.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  3. "Birkirkara FC - Player Profile". birkirkarafc.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  4. "Valletta dig deep to edge plucky Maroons; Hamrun back to winning form against 10-man Sliema". The Malta Independent. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  5. "Floriana and Ħamrun share the spoils in a draw". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  6. "Hamrun Spartans shock Hibernians | Hamrun Spartans FC". hamrunspartans.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  7. "inewsmalta.com". inewsmalta.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  8. Allied Newspapers Ltd. "Birkirkara close in on U-21 midfielder Grech". timesofmalta.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  9. "Birkirkara jiktbu lill-MFA għal erba' plejers...Jake Grech l-akbar kolp". TVM. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  10. Allied Newspapers Ltd. "Stripes strike deal for Grech". timesofmalta.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  11. "Under-21 - Malta - Jake Grech". UEFA.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  12. "Jake Grech heartened by team's display in Swiss defeat | Malta Football Association". mfa.com.mt. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  13. "Jake Grech stunner gives Malta U21 team a merited win over Latvia". The Malta Independent. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  14. Allied Newspapers Ltd. "Farrugia opts for a blend of youth and experience in Malta squad". timesofmalta.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  15. "Farrugia finalises Malta squad for Armenia and Georgia friendlies". The Malta Independent. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  16. Allied Newspapers Ltd. "Farrugia's Malta earn draw against Armenia". timesofmalta.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  17. "Brave Malta in 1-1 draw against Armenia in friendly | Malta Football Association". mfa.com.mt. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
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