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 | 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) |
2023–2024 | Balzan | 12 | (1) |
2024- | Floriana | 4 | (0) |
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 11 March 2024 ‡ 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 Floriana in the Maltese Premier League.[1]
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]
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]
On 21 June 2023, Grech signed a contract with Balzan.[12]
On 26th January, 2024, Grech left Balzan and signed a contract with Floriana, having been swapped with Jan Busuttil, who signed for Balzan.
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]
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]
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]