Maltese youth Maya Lucia will embark on a new adventure in Italy as she is set to sign a one-year contract with Genoa Femminile.
Lucia, together with her representatives M. Global S. – Sport Agency, were exploring the best option where to pursue the 2022/2023 season and Genoa was deemed a perfect fit for the Raiders Lija player.
She will head back to Malta later this week where she will join the senior national team for their final World Cup qualifications against Azerbaijan and Montenegro.
“I decided to take the plunge and make the move overseas in an effort to improve my footballing craft,” Lucia said in a statement issued by Ace Management.
Ace Management provided assistance to Lucia during her negotiations with the Serie B club.
“I have loved the game since an early age and being able to make a profession out of it is a dream come true.
I was taken aback by Genoa’s interest in me and their enthusiasm and commitment to having me as part of their squad.”
Meanwhile, her lawyers at AMC said: “It is always a pleasure to see young and promising athletes move on to greener pastures.”
“At such an early stage in an athlete’s career, it is important that they are well informed of their obligations and understand the process in its entirety.
“We pride ourselves in providing precise and transparent legal advice that goes hand in hand with the player’s aspirations and Maya is no exception.”
Earlier this summer, Lucia spent a 10-day trial at Serie A side Fiorentina Women where sources close to the player told the Times of Malta that she had left a good impression.
Genoa are one of the newcomers in this season’s Serie B campaign after finishing second in Serie C, last season.
They bought the sporting title of financially-stricken Cortefranca to participate in Italy’s second-tier as the Liguria-based club has big ambitions for their women’s club.
Lucia will be coached by Marco Oneto and will launch their Serie B campaign with a home game against Tavagnacco, on September 18.
The Raiders Lija midfielder played a key role for her club during the past season as they finished in fourth place after a remarkable campaign which saw Lucia’s side clinch strong results against the likes of Swieqi United and Mġarr United.
She scored five goals in the past 2021/2022 season and was named Malta Football Players’ Association (MFPA) Women’s Best Young Player Award. Lucia was also included in the Women’s League Best XI by the MFPA as well.
Lucia was also part of the U-20’s side that won the Women’s Knock-Out after finishing second in the championship, losing the title following a decider against Birkirkara.
At international level, Lucia was an important player for the U-19’s selection that claimed seven points against Northern Ireland (scoring as well), Azerbaijan and Faroe Islands en route to their historic promotion to League A in the European qualifiers.
She had also scored for her U-19’s side in both friendlies against Cyprus back in March.
