Jake Grech
Personal information
Full name Jake Grech
Date of birth (1997-11-18) 18 November 1997
Place of birth Pietà, Malta
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Balzan
Number 10
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– Balzan 10 (1)
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 29 December 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 1 December 2023

Jake Grech (born 18 November 1997) is a Maltese professional footballer currently playing with Balzan in the Maltese Premier League.[1]

Club career

Ħamrun Spartans

Jake 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

Grech'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

On 21 June 2023, Grech signed a contract with Balzan.[12]

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.[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

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.[2][3][4]

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.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Jake Grech at Soccerway
  2. 1 2 "BOV Second Division | Malta Football Association". mfa.com.mt. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 "Jake Grech moves to Birkirkara for EUR 120,000 – local transfer record". maltawinds.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 "Birkirkara FC - Player Profile". birkirkarafc.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  5. ↑ "Valletta dig deep to edge plucky Maroons; Hamrun back to winning form against 10-man Sliema". The Malta Independent. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  6. ↑ "Floriana and Ħamrun share the spoils in a draw". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  7. ↑ "Hamrun Spartans shock Hibernians | Hamrun Spartans FC". hamrunspartans.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  8. ↑ "inewsmalta.com". inewsmalta.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  9. ↑ Allied Newspapers Ltd. "Birkirkara close in on U-21 midfielder Grech". timesofmalta.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  10. 1 2 "Birkirkara jiktbu lill-MFA għal erba' plejers...Jake Grech l-akbar kolp". TVM. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  11. ↑ Allied Newspapers Ltd. "Stripes strike deal for Grech". timesofmalta.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  12. ↑ "Balzan FC completed the signing of Malta international midfielder Jake Grech". 18 July 2023.
  13. ↑ "Under-21 - Malta - Jake Grech". UEFA.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  14. ↑ "Jake Grech heartened by team's display in Swiss defeat | Malta Football Association". mfa.com.mt. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  15. ↑ "Jake Grech stunner gives Malta U21 team a merited win over Latvia". The Malta Independent. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  16. ↑ Allied Newspapers Ltd. "Farrugia opts for a blend of youth and experience in Malta squad". timesofmalta.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  17. ↑ "Farrugia finalises Malta squad for Armenia and Georgia friendlies". The Malta Independent. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  18. ↑ Allied Newspapers Ltd. "Farrugia's Malta earn draw against Armenia". timesofmalta.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  19. ↑ "Brave Malta in 1-1 draw against Armenia in friendly | Malta Football Association". mfa.com.mt. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
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