Maltese goalkeeper James Sissons joins Chesterfield FC academy

Maltese goalkeeper James Sissons, 18, has signed for Chesterfield FC’s academy, the English club has announced on their website.

Sissons has featured internationally for Malta at youth level, before being named on the bench for recent 2026 World Cup qualifiers against the Netherlands, Poland, Finland and Lithuania.

Chesterfield FC said that Sissons impressed against Liverpool and during the youth-team training camp in Scotland against Hibernian and Dundee.

His first competitive outing after signing for the club will be on Friday, when the young Spireites will face Salford City in the EFL Youth Alliance League.

Sissons said: “I was very proud when I received my first call-up to the national team.

“I played against big sides – Switzerland at U16 level and Spain in the U17 European Championship qualifiers.

“After some time, I got my first-team call-up. I went and did my best. To be part of the squad that faced top teams like the Netherlands and Poland, against players like Van Dijk is the dream, really.”

With fellow Maltese youth prospect Gunner Elliott earning a professional deal earlier in the summer, Sissons added: “It motivates me to take the same path. I feel like that’s the strongest path I can take to make it.

“Going forward, I want to be competing in the EFL Youth Alliance League, U19 , U21, U23 as well as the reserve games in the Central League.

“Training has been great with goalkeeper coach Dave O’Hare and all the academy coaching staff. It’s been a good experience so far and I am looking forward to working hard to develop as well as progress.”

The club’s CEO John Croot, who won League Two CEO of the Year last season, is the founder of Walking Football and has a strong affiliation with Malta after living in Mosta as a child.  

Croot said: “We are really pleased to have our second Malta youth international sign with the club. We are looking forward to continuing developing and building links with the country which has strong links to our club.

“The Malta Football Association’s recently launched strategy shows commitment to growing the game at all levels and inspiring people to achieve high standards is something we have followed and mirror as part our own club’s strategy.”

Academy head of recruitment Justin Tellus said: “After travelling and watching James play for Malta U19 in Poland earlier this year, he showed he was a player who fitted our academy profile.”

“We know he has been at Portsmouth FC as well as having had interest from Italian clubs, so we are really pleased he has joined our academy.

“James has settled in well and performed well in pre-season. Within our training and games programme we look forward to helping James develop as well as progress as a player hopefully to fulfil his full potential in the future.”