Andrei Agius Explained

Andrei Agius
Height:1.82 m
Birth Date:1986 8, df=yes
Clubnumber:20
Youthyears1:1995–1999
Youthyears2:1999–2003
Youthyears3:2004
Years1:2003
Caps1:2
Goals1:0
Years2:2004
Clubs2:Zemun
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2004–2005
Clubs3:Sporting Mascalucia
Caps3:26
Goals3:6
Years4:2005–2007
Clubs4:Messina
Caps4:28
Goals4:2
Years5:2006–2007
Clubs5:Martina (loan)
Caps5:15
Goals5:1
Years6:2007–2009
Caps6:68
Goals6:3
Years7:2009–2010
Caps7:10
Goals7:0
Years8:2010–2011
Clubs8:Melfi
Caps8:37
Goals8:0
Years9:2011
Clubs9:Birkirkara (loan)
Caps9:12
Goals9:1
Years10:2011–2013
Clubs10:Latina
Caps10:35
Goals10:0
Years11:2013–2014
Clubs11:Torres
Caps11:16
Goals11:1
Years12:2014
Clubs12:Aprilia (loan)
Caps12:14
Goals12:0
Years13:2014–
Clubs13:Hibernians
Caps13:221
Goals13:17
Nationalyears1:2005–2008
Nationalcaps1:37
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2006–2022
Nationalcaps2:103
Nationalgoals2:6
Pcupdate:25 June 2023
Ntupdate:7 June 2021

Andrei Agius (born 12 August 1986) is a Maltese footballer who plays as a central defender for Hibernians.

Club career

Early career

Agius began his career with Santa Lucija, his hometown club, before joining the youth nursery of Sliema Wanderers, the most decorated club in Maltese football.

In July 2003, Agius was part of the Sliema Wanderers under-16 squad that participated in the Nikola Kotkov Tournament, organised by the Academy Lokomotiv 101.

On 19 December 2003, aged only 17, Agius, who started out as a midfielder, made his senior debut for Sliema Wanderers in a Premier League match against Floriana but his determination to pursue a professional career meant that, just weeks after his first senior appearance, the then teenage defender left for his first overseas challenge.

Serbia and Montenegro

Agius headed to Serbia and Montenegro to join first-division club Zemun on an initial six-month contract but played mostly for Zemun's youth team, scoring two goals in the process.

Italy

In the summer of 2004, Agius moved to Italy after catching the eye of Sicilian club Sporting Mascalucia who offered him a contract. In his first season with Sport Club Mascalucia, Agius scored three goals and was voted as the most promising midfielder in the Italy's regional championship.

Following another positive season with Mascalucia, Agius secured a contract with then Serie A club Messina, where he became a regular in the reserve squad. In his first season with Messina, Agius switched from midfield to defence.

In February 2006, Agius featured in the Torneo Mondiale di Calcio Coppa Carnevale and scored two goals, one against Pistoiese and the other against Torino. In May 2006, Agius was among the Messina substitutes for the Serie A match against Empoli.

After his initial one-year spell with Messina, Agius was loaned to Serie C side Martina during the August transfer window in 2006. In season 2006–07, Agius faced intense competition for first-team places from experienced and seasoned players but still managed to make some appearances for Martina in the Coppa Italia.

In season 2007–08, Agius moved to Igea Virtus, regarded as the second team of Messina Calcio. In his first season with Igea Virtus, Agius played 34 league matches and one in the Coppa Italia. His performances with Virtus earned him a four-year contract with Messina in March 2008 but the following summer, financial difficulties forced the Serie B club to file for bankruptcy. Agius was freed from his contractual obligations with the club and rejoined Igea Virtus where he was an automatic choice in their first team.

Later on in the 2009–10 season, Agius signed for Serie C team Cassino in a co-ownership deal with Salernitana. In January 2010, Agius was loaned to Melfi, and eventually signed a two-year contract with the club. A year later, it looked as though Agius was going to sign for Serie B side Triestina, and also played for the team in a triangular tournament, but nothing came of it.

In January 2011, Agius joined Maltese Premier League club Birkirkara on a short-term loan deal. On 31 August 2011, Agius signed for Italian side Latina, and was part of the squad that won promotion to Serie B as well as winning the 2012–13 Coppa Italia Lega Pro. US Latina's promotion to the second division of Italian football led to a squad overhaul in the summer of 2013 and Agius opted to join Sardinian club Torres.

Return to Malta

In the summer of 2014, Agius returned to Malta to join Hibernians, his hometown club. With his current club he won two Maltese Premier League titles (in 2014–15 and 2016–17).

Agius was also in the Hibs team that caused a shock by beating Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv 2–1 in the first leg of their 2015–16 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie at the Hibernians Stadium on 14 July 2015. In 2019, he won the award as Maltese Player of the Year.[1]

International career

Agius earned his first call-up to Malta's under-21 squad, then coached by Mark Miller, in August 2003 for a friendly match against Italy under-21. Agius has represented Malta 37 times at under-21 level. In 2005, he formed part of the Malta under-21 team that participated in the Mediterranean Games, held in Almería, Spain.

In February 2006, Agius, then aged 19, was named in Malta's senior squad for the biennial Malta International football tournament. The other participating nations were Georgia and Moldova.

On 4 June 2021, he played his 100th match for Malta in a 2–1 loss in a friendly match against Kosovo.[2]

Career statistics

Country SeasonClub League Appearances Goals
1. Serbia2003–04FK ZemunUnder 18171
2. Italy2004–05FC MascaluciaEccellenza266
3. Italy2005–06FC MessinaPrimavera28 2
4. Italy2006–07FC Martina FrancaC15 0
5. Italy2007–08FC Igea VirtusC235 1
6. Italy2008–09FC Igea VirtusC233 2
7. Italy2009–10SS Cassino CalcioC210 0
8. Italy2010–11A.S MelfiC217 0
9. Italy2011–11A.S MelfiC214 0
10. Malta2011–11Birkirkara FC MaltaPremier League Malta14 1
11. Italy2011–13Latina CalcioC136 1
12. Italy2013–14Torres FC CalcioC214 1
13. Italy2013–14ApriliaC216 0
14. Malta2014–16HiberniansPremier League Malta85 10

International goals

Scores and results list Malta's goal tally first.[3]

No Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 14 August 2012 align=center 2–1 align=center 3–2 Friendly
2. 5 October 2017 align=center 1–0 align=center 1–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
3. 29 May 2018 align=center 1–0 align=center 1–1 Friendly
4. 10 September 2018 Ta' Qali National Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta align=center 1–0 align=center 1–1 2018–19 UEFA Nations League D
5. 11 October 2018 align=center 1–1 align=center 1–32018–19 UEFA Nations League D
6. 3 September 2020 align=center 2–1 align=center 2–32020–21 UEFA Nations League D

Honours

US Calcio Latina

2012–13

Hibernians

2014–15, 2016–17 2021-22

2015

Individual

2019

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hibs defender Agius named MFA Footballer of the Year. . 25 May 2019. Maltese Football Association. 25 May 2019.
  2. Web site: Friendly match: Late defensive slip again lets Malta down . independent.com.mt . 5 June 2021 .
  3. Web site: Agius, Andrei. National Football Teams. 10 October 2017.