Jayce Olivero

Jayce Mascarenhas-Olivero[1] (born 2 July 1998), also known as Jayce Olivero, is a Gibraltarian footballer who plays as a defender for Europa. He is member of the Gibraltar national football team, having played at every youth level since Gibraltar joined UEFA in 2013.

Jayce Olivero
Personal information
Full name Jayce Mascarenhas-Olivero
Date of birth (1998-07-02) 2 July 1998
Place of birth Gibraltar
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Left back, Left midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Europa
Number 12
Youth career
Lions Gibraltar
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2016 Lions Gibraltar 49 (0)
2016–2019 Abingdon United 44 (3)
2019– Europa 25 (0)
National team‡
2013–2014 Gibraltar U-17 5 (0)
2014–2015 Gibraltar U-19 5 (0)
2017–2020 Gibraltar U-21 4 (0)
2016– Gibraltar 33 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18 December 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 17 November 2020

Club career

Olivero is a product of the Lions Gibraltar youth academy, and broke into the team during the 2014-15 season at the age of 16. In summer 2015 he had a trial at West Ham United to gain experience of professional training. He returned to the revamped Lions team for the coming season and became a regular in the side, playing an important role as the previous season's bottom side made an early challenge for European qualification. In February 2016, he had a short trial at Leicester City, playing in a youth team game watched by scouts from other professional teams, before returning to Gibraltar. In 2016, he moved to Abingdon United for the duration of his studies. In his first season at the club, he helped them to second in the Hellenic League Division One West, and promotion. For his efforts, Olivero was voted Supporters' Player of the Season. After suffering relegation in 2019, it was announced that Olivero had signed for Europa back in Gibraltar on 15 May 2019, joining officially in time for the club's Europa League campaign.[2] He made his debut in the 2019–20 UEFA Europa League preliminary round against UE Sant Julià on 27 June.[3]

International career

He made his debut for the Gibraltar national football team aged 17 on 23 March 2016, starting in a goalless draw against Liechtenstein at the Victoria Stadium - making him the territory's youngest UEFA era player. His addition into a five-man defence by manager Jeff Wood allowed the formerly defensive Joseph Chipolina to attack. In the 69th-minute, shortly after being booked, Olivero was substituted for Jeremy Lopez.[1] In October 2020, he was named captain for the first time, against Malta.[4]

Honours
Abingdon United
Europa
  • Football Gibraltar Young Player of the Season: 2019–20

References
  1. "Football: Jeff's 'diamond' sparkles". Gibraltar Chronicle. 24 March 2016. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  2. TOP LOCAL TALENT FOR EUROPA FC Europa FC on Twitter. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  3. UEFA Europa League - Sant Julià vs Europa UEFA.com. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  4. Special football feature - Turning Pro – Jayce Olivero explains how it’s not just a dream but a reality Gibraltar Chronicle. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
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