A number of players from the Malta Under-17 side which recently took part in the UEFA Under-17 Championship managed to attract the interest of Italian clubs after foreign scouts watched them in action during the final tournament.

Aidan Friggieri of Sliema Wanderers was invited for trials with Pescara and Brescia while goalkeeper Jamie Azzopardi of Rabat Ajax, who was on loan with Mosta last season, went for a trial in Brescia. On Friday, the two Maltese players played a friendly game with Brescia and both had a good performance with Jamie Azzopardi performing at least three good point-blank saves to keep a clean sheet.

Meanwhile Jake Grech of Hamrun Spartans had a trial with Virtus Entella who have just secured promotion to the Serie B for the first time in the history of the club.

During these trials, scouts from other Italian clubs followed the Maltese players and there lies the possibility of being invited for further trials.

In fact, for the Brescia friendly, there were several scouts from different clubs and even the son of Brescia Calcio President Luigi Corioni was present for the game.

Photo: Copyright © Paul Zammit Cutajar