Aaron Younger made his final bow on Thursday night, closing a decorated career fittingly as San Ġiljan overcame Neptunes in a penalty shoot-out to clinch their 14th Premier Division title – their third in the last five years.
The final against Neptunes was his swansong, a fitting stage to testify to his sterling service to the game and a glittering haul of honours.
Younger bows out with an astonishing five Champions League titles, becoming one of only 13 players to have reached such a milestone.
He is also the only man to have lifted the trophy in four consecutive editions (2019–2023, with the 2020 tournament cancelled due to COVID).
During his five seasons with Pro Recco, the Australian ace amassed 15 trophies, including this year’s Euro Cup. Now 34, Younger has decided to call time on his career.
Speaking after the final, his down-to-earth personality was as striking as his achievements.
“I wanted to end my career on a high note, and so it was,” he told the Times of Malta.
“It’s always great to finish like this. I really appreciate everything I’ve had with the club over the last three years. T
“To finish with these guys is special – it’s the perfect way to leave the game. We had decided back in September that this would be my last season, so there was an extra effort to finish as best as possible. I was very lucky it worked out this way.”
Younger’s retirement forms part of a wave of great farewells in world waterpolo, alongside Aleksandar Ivović, Felipe Perrone and Stefano Tempesti. Earlier in June, he had bid farewell to Pro Recco, but still honoured his promise to San Ġiljan to end his career on a winning note before returning to his homeland.
After 14 seasons in Europe, he now plans to step away from the sport completely – “to detox” from waterpolo for two to three years.
San Ġiljan coach Giorgos Katsaounis paid tribute to Younger.
“I don’t need to talk about all his achievements – five Champions League titles say it all. He’s an amazing guy, a family man, always positive in practice. It was our pleasure and honour to have him with us for these last games and to finish on a winning note.”
Club president Peter Bonavia echoed that sentiment.
“What an honour for the club to have a player of Aaron’s calibre hang up his cap in our colours. In three years, we never had an issue with him. He’s a top player, but also humble, never complained about anything. It will be a hard task to replace him,” he said.
For San Ġiljan, this season was about more than trophies – it was about reaffirming their pedigree.
After back-to-back coaching changes, the appointment of Giorgos Katsaounis proved decisive.
“His style was completely different from Željko Kovačić – the Greek way is based on technique and speed, whereas the Baltic philosophy is more about strength and aggression,” Bonavia explained.
Katsaounis also wasn’t afraid to make bold tactical tweaks.
“He changed Ben Plumpton’s position, and it worked. Even Younger played more advanced, though he still had defensive duties,” Bonavia said.
Bonavia acknowledged that Katsaounis had a whirlwind start.
“In two hours, we turned his life upside down. His wife was expecting their baby, he packed up everything, left his business behind and came here,” the president recalled.
Reflecting on the triumph, Katsaounis said: “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved in just five months. It was not easy. Words cannot describe my feelings right now – I need a couple of days to come to terms with this. But we are on the right track.”
The San Ġiljan president praised the coach’s impact on young talents such as Russell Caruana, Nico Schiavone and Daniel Tully.
“There were games we risked losing, but that’s part of the process. The big picture is giving youngsters time to play, evolve and step up when it matters,” Katsaounis explained.
Looking ahead, San Ġiljan will now turn their focus to the LEN Challenger Cup, where they have been drawn in a group with ASC Sliema, Apoel Nicosia (CYP) and Hapoel Palram Zvulun (ISR), with the qualification games to be held in Malta.
Yet the club faces urgent questions between the goalposts, with Jake Tanti heading back to Spain to rejoin CN Mataró, as well as Jake Bonavia set to move to the US for Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
“Filling the gap that Tanti will leave is a top priority,” Bonavia admitted. “We’re working on it – I have no names for you yet.”
On a brighter note, talks over a new deal for Ben Plumpton are at an advanced stage.
“Ben ticks all the boxes for us. He’s a club man and we fully intend to offer him a new deal,” the president confirmed.
