Luke Montebello


Luke Montebello is a professional footballer currently playing for Maltese Premier League side Balzan, where he plays as a forward.

Club career

Having played his youth football for the Birkirkara F.C. nursery, Montebello tried his luck abroad by joining the A.S. Livorno Calcio youth sector in 2011. He had some success with the Italian youth side, before returning to Malta and signing with Valletta for
5 years.
Montebello was sent out on loan to Zebbug Rangers F.C. for the second half of season 2014-15 in a bid to help them avoid relegation.
In search of first team football, he joined Tarxien Rainbows F.C. in summer 2015 on loan where he was most utilised in his career, scoring 12 goals in 31 matches in the Maltese Premier League.
He was again sent out on loan for season 2016-17, this time to woodenspoonists Pembroke Athleta F.C.. He wore shirt number 77. This was shortlived however, as he was called back to Valletta for the second half of the season, after he injured his should in October. He underwent surgery which turned out to be successful, however he still needed 7 to 8 weeks of recovery.
Montebello moved again in 2017, this time with a permanent move. He returned to his childhood club Birkirkara F.C., after having established himself as one of the leading strikers in the Maltese Premier League.
In January 2018, Montebello was banned for match-fixing for one year. After the suspension, he returned to play for Birkirkara F.C. again.

International career

Luke Montebello featured in the Malta national under-17 football team and the Malta national under-19 football team. He also featured in the Malta national under-21 football team under Silvio Vella, making his debut on September 5, 2014.
Before an Under-21 match against Czech Republic national under-21 football team, allegedly Montebello was approached to throw the match for a sum of money; he allegedly did not accept and testified against the bribers in court.
He was first included provisionally in the senior side on November 4, 2015. He made his Malta national football team debut under Pietro Ghedin in a 1–3 defeat against Slovakia on March 26, 2017.

Style of play

With a tall and powerful physique, Montebello has been described as a target man.

Honours

Club

;Valletta