Yuri Messias returns at Valletta FC

Yuri Messias is back at Valletta FC after he was announced as the latest signing of the capital club on Friday.

The Brazilian forward is set to hand a major boost to the Citizens’ forward line with his speed and attacking flair.

Messias is not a new face of Maltese football as he has been hovering around various clubs since his arrival on the island in 2013 with Mosta.

Since then, he moved to Msida St Joseph, Naxxar Lions, and Nadur Youngsters. In 2017, Messias almost joined Valletta but had a late change of heart and instead opted to move to the Middle East and join Saudi Arabian club Al-Jabalain.

Messias finally joined Valletta in the summer of 2019, where he made ten appearances and scored two goals. But he failed to complete the full season with the capital club, as in February 2020, he returned to his homeland and joined Frederiquense.

Messias was soon back in Malta the following summer as he agreed to join Gudja United, where he enjoyed a very prolific season, scoring 13 goals in 14 appearances. His performances attracted another move to the Middle East, this time to the Qatari side East Riffa.

However, he failed to settle in Qatar and was soon in Maltese football, this time with Gżira United, where he made 17 appearances, scoring six goals and providing seven assists.

 After a spell in Japan with Tiamo Hirakata, he was back in Maltese football at the start of the 2023-24 season with Marsaxlokk and helped the club to a return to European football when they placed third in the Premier League.

During his two seasons at the Southerners, he amassed 63 appearances, scoring 29 goals and providing 19 assists.

Now he is looking forward to finally making his mark at Valletta in a bid to help the Citizens return to their former glories in their first season back in the Premier League.