Young Maltese player Kailey Willis is set for a new adventure as she will switch from Hellas Verona to Chievo Verona Women in Italian football.
The former Birkirkara player, who had proposals from other Italian clubs, has put pen to paper on a one-year contract with an option for a second in the 2023/2024 season
Chievo Verona Women are expected to mount a serious promotion challenge for Serie A after an encouraging second-tier campaign last season.
They finished fourth with 44 points after 26 games and in this season’s Serie B campaign they will rub shoulders with neighbours Hellas Verona who were relegated from the Serie A championship last season.
The 2022/2023 season opener is pencilled for September 18.
“I have been following Chievo Verona Women for the last couple of months, and have been impressed with the strides forward they have made through their attitude on the pitch, as well as their professionalism off it,” Willis said in a statement of her agency, AMC.
“When they approached us at the end of the season, I was immediately taken by their positive approach and project for the upcoming campaign.
Willis leaves Hellas Verona after two strong seasons, where she played at both senior and youth levels.
The Malta U-19’s international, who has also one senior cap, made three first-team appearances during the 2020/2021 season including a Serie A debut against Haley Bugeja and her Sassuolo team.
Willis established herself as a key player for the Primavera side, scoring 17 goals in 24 games and making it to the Scudetto playoffs twice in a row.
“I worked extremely hard last season to improve my game both on and off the field of play,” Willis added.
“I feel that I have matured both as an athlete and an individual, and after having such an encouraging season as a Primavera regular, it was the right time to look for a new and exciting challenge.”
15 of the 17 goals scored came just in the past season, including a hat-trick against Pro-Sesto in the closing stages of the season.
Willis finished the sixth-best scorer in the Primavera league, behind three Juventus players, two Milan players and one from Inter.
“WE believe that this is the right move at the right time for Kailey (Willis) to continue to develop,” Willis’ agency AMC said.
“Chievo Verona will offer the right environment for Kailey (Willis) to show her quality and perfect her craft.”
