Jake Grech
{{short description|Maltese footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Jake Grech
| image =
| caption =
| fullname = Jake Grech
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|11|18|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Pietà, Malta
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Floriana
| clubnumber = 8
| youthyears1 = –2013
| youthclubs1 = Hamrun Spartans
| years1 = 2013–2017
| clubs1 = Hamrun Spartans
| caps1 = 32
| goals1 = 12
| years2 = 2017–2019
| clubs2 = Birkirkara
| caps2 = 46
| goals2 = 16
| years3 = 2019–2023
| clubs3 = Hibernians
| caps3 = 105
| goals3 = 46
| years4 = 2023–2024
| clubs4 = Balzan
| caps4 = 12
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2024-
| clubs5 = Floriana
| caps5 = 17
| goals5 = 2
| club-update = 16 October 2024
| nationalyears1 =
| nationalteam1 = Malta U17
| nationalcaps1 = 5
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 =
| nationalteam2 = Malta U19
| nationalcaps2 = 5
| nationalgoals2 = 1
| nationalyears3 =
| nationalteam3 = Malta U21
| nationalcaps3 = 1
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2018–
| nationalteam4 = Malta
| nationalcaps4 = 23
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| ntupdate = 1 December 2023
}}
Jake Grech (born 18 November 1997) is a Maltese professional footballer currently playing with Floriana in the Maltese Premier League.{{Soccerway|jake-grech/340383}}
Club career
=Ħamrun Spartans=
Jake Grech rose through the ranks of Ħamrun Spartans, and debuted with the team in the Maltese First Division.{{cite web|url=https://www.mfa.com.mt/en/leagues/leagues/25/bov-second-division.htm?feature=topscores&mp=2447|title=BOV Second Division | Malta Football Association|website=mfa.com.mt|accessdate=22 June 2018}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://maltawinds.com/2017/06/18/jake-grech-moves-birkirkara-eur-120000-local-transfer-record/|title=Jake Grech moves to Birkirkara for EUR 120,000 – local transfer record|website=maltawinds.com|accessdate=22 June 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.birkirkarafc.com/player.php?id=330|title=Birkirkara FC - Player Profile|website=birkirkarafc.com|accessdate=22 June 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2017-01-14/football/Valletta-dig-deep-to-edge-plucky-Maroons-Hamrun-back-to-winning-form-against-10-man-Sliema-6736169058|title=Valletta dig deep to edge plucky Maroons; Hamrun back to winning form against 10-man Sliema|website=The Malta Independent|accessdate=22 June 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/sports/football/69984/floriana_and_amrun_share_the_spoils_in_a_draw#.Wy1FmEiFNPY|title=Floriana and Ħamrun share the spoils in a draw|website=MaltaToday.com.mt|accessdate=22 June 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://hamrunspartans.com/hamrun-spartans-shock-hibernians/|title=Hamrun Spartans shock Hibernians | Hamrun Spartans FC|website=hamrunspartans.com|accessdate=22 June 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.inewsmalta.com/articles/article43880.html|website=inewsmalta.com|title=inewsmalta.com|accessdate=22 June 2018}}
=Birkirkara=
Grech's displays led to interest growing in him over the months.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170617/football/Birkirkara-close-in-on-U-21-midfielder-Grech.650949|author=Allied Newspapers Ltd|website=timesofmalta.com|title=Birkirkara close in on U-21 midfielder Grech|accessdate=22 June 2018}} In June 2017, Grech was transferred to Birkirkara F.C. for a record fee of €120,000.{{cite web|url=https://www.tvm.com.mt/mt/sports/birkirkara-jiktbu-lill-mfa-ghal-erba-plejers-jake-grech-l-akbar-kolp/|title=Birkirkara jiktbu lill-MFA għal erba' plejers...Jake Grech l-akbar kolp|website=TVM|accessdate=22 June 2018}} Part of Grech's deal saw defender Daniel Zerafa move to Ħamrun.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170618/football/Stripes-strike-deal-for-Grech.651026|author=Allied Newspapers Ltd|website=timesofmalta.com|title=Stripes strike deal for Grech|accessdate=22 June 2018}} Grech officially signed for Birkirkara on 18 June 2017.
=Balzan=
= 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under21/teams/players/250069812--jake-grech/|title=Under-21 - Malta - Jake Grech|website=UEFA|access-date=22 June 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mfa.com.mt/en/news/news/3307/jake-grech-heartened-by-teams-display-in-swiss-defeat.htm|title=Jake Grech heartened by team’s display in Swiss defeat | Malta Football Association|website=mfa.com.mt|accessdate=22 June 2018}} He was instrumental in various matches and showed great promise, at times being decisive for his side.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2016-10-07/local-news/Jake-Grech-stunner-gives-Malta-a-merited-win-6736164871|title=Jake Grech stunner gives Malta U21 team a merited win over Latvia|website=The Malta Independent|accessdate=22 June 2018}}
Upon being promoted as National Team manager, Ray Farrugia decided call up Jake Grech to the senior squad, amongst other players.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20180525/football/farrugia-opts-for-a-blend-of-youth-and-experience-in-malta-squad.679971|author=Allied Newspapers Ltd|website=timesofmalta.com|title=Farrugia opts for a blend of youth and experience in Malta squad|accessdate=22 June 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2018-05-25/football/Farrugia-finalises-Malta-squad-for-Armenia-and-Georgia-friendlies-6736190505|title=Farrugia finalises Malta squad for Armenia and Georgia friendlies|website=The Malta Independent|accessdate=22 June 2018}} In fact, Grech's first match with the Malta national football team was against Armenia in a match that ended in a draw.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20180529/football/farrugias-malta-earn-draw-against-armenia.680373|author=Allied Newspapers Ltd|website=timesofmalta.com|title=Farrugia's Malta earn draw against Armenia|accessdate=22 June 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mfa.com.mt/en/news/news/3406/brave-malta-in-1-1-draw-against-armenia-in-friendly.htm|title=Brave Malta in 1-1 draw against Armenia in friendly | Malta Football Association|website=mfa.com.mt|accessdate=22 June 2018}}
Style of play
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.
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grech, Jake}}
Category:Maltese men's footballers
Category:Malta men's international footballers
Category:Hamrun Spartans F.C. players
Category:Birkirkara F.C. players
Category:Maltese Premier League players
Category:Malta men's under-21 international footballers