Birkirkara FC have announced a new partnership with online betting giant Bet-at-home, a sponsorship agreement that club president Michael Valenzia described as “crucial for the future growth” of the Stripes.
The two-year deal, which will run until mid-2027, comes at a time when Birkirkara are still without a coach, with the team preparing for a tough clash against Hibernians, this evening.
The Stripes remain winless in their opening two matches of the Premier League season, drawing both fixtures and failing to score a single goal.
The agreement see Bet-at-home featured prominently on the back of the first-team shirts in all competitive matches, both home and away. It also covers training kit branding, digital presence, training ground visibility, and exclusive hospitality opportunities.
Founded 25 years ago and headquartered in Austria, Bet-at-home has grown into one of the most recognised names in the betting industry. The brand already sponsors various clubs and events across Europe.
For Valenzia, securing the deal was a statement of intent.
“This is a big moment for Birkirkara,” he said.
“Bet-at-home is one of the most established brands worldwide, a household name in the betting market. They had multiple options available to them, yet they chose to partner with us. That makes us proud.
“Maltese football is at a crossroads. There has been progress in recent years, but now it is time to take the next step. To do that, the game needs reputable sponsorships, and Bet-at-home is certainly one of them. We see this agreement as an opportunity to strengthen our club and grow further.”
Valenzia also underlined that Bet-at-home is joining a broader network of sponsors supporting Birkirkara this season.
“They are not the only brand backing us, but they are a significant addition,” he continued.
“For us, the partnership represents recognition of the club’s ambitions.”
Roland Aigner, representing Bet-at-home, explained the company’s reasoning behind investing in the Stripes.
“Our local connection played a part, but more importantly, we see great potential in the club. They can grow, deliver results, and compete for trophies. From our perspective, this is also a sound investment in terms of visibility and returns,” Aigner said.
New coach
While the sponsorship provides a boost off the pitch, Birkirkara still face uncertainty on it. The Stripes have yet to appoint a permanent coach after parting ways with former coach Stefano De Angelis in the summer.
Valenzia confirmed that talks are at an advanced stage with an unnamed coach.
“We held discussions with several candidates,” he explained.
“We’ve interviewed many coaches, and we are very close to reaching a decision. Hopefully, we will finalise it soon.”
In the meantime, the president stressed that the club’s ambitions remain unchanged.
“We don’t want to beat around the bush – our target is to compete for every competition,” he said.
“Other teams, even those not playing in Europe, have invested heavily this year. We’ve also strengthened our squad more than we did last season.
“This new league format means you have more than one opportunity to stay in the title race. We had a couple of setbacks so far, but the road is long. We’re determined to challenge for the league, the FA Trophy, and the new Jubilee Cup, which is an important objective for us this season as well.”
Birkirkara’s summer transfer window saw several changes, including the departure of club captain Alexander Satariano. The Malta international made the move to Athens Kallithea in Greece’s second tier, whose season begins this weekend.
Valenzia acknowledged the blow but expressed respect for the player’s decision.
“Satariano was an important player for us, and every club would love to have someone of his quality,” he said.
“He deserves the chance to play in a stronger league. It’s always been clear that he had the talent to move abroad, and we wish him well.
“We are already looking to replace him. By September 30, we hope to bring in another player to bolster the squad.”
Despite departures, Valenzia emphasised that Birkirkara are better equipped this season.
“Last year, few considered us genuine challengers, even though we still finished second in several competitions. This time, we’ve expanded the squad specifically to give the coach more options. We remain confident that we can compete on all fronts.”
