Gilbert Agius


Gilbert Agius is a former professional Maltese footballer, currently assistant manager of Valletta FC.

Playing career

Agius was the captain of his hometown club side Valletta F.C. and is one of the most well known and highly respected figures in Maltese football history. He is hailed as a hero by the Valletta F.C. fans, due to his loyalty to his hometown club, where he played since 1990, bar a short spell during the first half of the 2001–02 season which he spent on loan to then-Serie C1 club Pisa. His number 7 shirt is retired in respect of his loyalty and great service to Valletta F.C. He is the most capped player and the all time goal scorer at Valletta F.C. Agius is also the player who won the most honours in Valletta F.C. history. He also holds the record of top Maltese scorer in European games with 10 goals.
Gilbert Agius has received three Malta Football Association Player of the Year awards - no other player has more than two awards. The first was won in 1996–97, the second in Valletta's successful 2000–01 season, the third in 2006–07.
At the start of the 2007–08 season Agius was on trial with , but later he opted to stay with Valletta. At the end of 2007 Agius was out with a thigh injury for several months. He returned just as the team started fulfilling its potential, and led Valletta to the first title since 2000–01. He won a single Player of the Month award during the season and was chosen as Best Local Player in the Maltese Football Awards at the end of the 2007–08 season.
At the beginning of the 2012–13 season Agius was named to be Assistant Manager of Valletta, with new Manager Mark Miller. He later left this role and came out of retirement to play for Gozitan side Xewkija Tigers helping them to win the Gozo League.

Achievements

Malta

Gilbert has recorded a remarkable 120 caps for his country, making him the third most capped player in Malta's history. For the national team, he has often been used a defensive midfielder in recent years. Not due to exceptional defensive skills, but due to his ability to distribute the ball. He has scored 8 goals for the national team. At club level he has played primarily as a supporting forward. Gilbert was captain of Malta for many years until he stopped being called up for international duty, but is loved by fans and remembered to be a very passionate player who loved to play for his country.
Agius' goal in a 1–1 friendly game against Austria was voted Goal of the Season in the 2006–07 Malta Football Awards.

International goals

Malta Goals
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.14 August 1996Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland1-01-2Friendly
2.8 June 1997Tórsvøllur, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands1-01-21998 FIFA World Cup qualifying
3.6 February 2000Ta' Qali Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta2-03-0Rothmans Cup
4.6 February 2000Ta' Qali Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta3-03-0Rothmans Cup
5.5 September 2001Na Stínadlech, Teplice, Czech Republic2-22-32002 FIFA World Cup qualifying
6.11 February 2002Ta' Qali Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta1-11-1Rothmans Cup
7.15 November 2006Hibernians Ground, Paola, Malta1-31-4Friendly
8.7 February 2007Ta' Qali Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta, Malta1-01-1Friendly