Jake Grech

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

Jake Grech

Personal information
Full name	Jake Grech
Date of birth	(1997-11-18) 18 November 1997 (age 27)
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

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]

Floriana

On 26th January, 2024, Grech left Balzan and signed a contract with Floriana, having been swapped with Jan Busuttil, who signed for Balzan.

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]