Malta defender Zach Muscat returns to Portugal, joins second-tier G.D. Chaves

Zach Muscat is set to return to Portuguese football after signing a two-year contract with second-tier side G.D. Chaves, the Times of Malta can confirm.

For the Malta international, Chaves will be his third club in Portugal, having previously played for Farense and Casa Pia.

Muscat has already linked up with his new teammates in Portugal, taking part in pre-season training ahead of the 2025/2026 campaign.

He will be coached by Filipe Martins, a familiar figure for Muscat, having worked under him at Casa Pia with the side that earned promotion to Portugal’s top flight in the 2021/2022 season.

G.D. Chaves finished seventh in Liga Portugal 2 in 2024/2025 and were relegated from the Primeira Liga in the 2023/2024 season. The club has won the second-tier title twice, most recently in 2012/2013.

Muscat brings significant experience to the squad, with 76 appearances in Portugal’s second tier and 22 in the top flight. At Casa Pia, he made 61 appearances, while at Farense he featured 51 times across all competitions.

Last season, Muscat spent the first half without a club before joining Şanlıurfaspor in Turkey’s second division during the January transfer window, going on to play 15 matches.

In June, Muscat featured for Malta in a 0-0 draw against Lithuania, helping the national team earn their first point in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.