Santa Lucia made a clear statement of intent ahead of the BOV Challenge League campaign with the singing of former French international attacking midfielder Mathieu Valbuena.
After playing for ES Blanquefort and Bordeaux at youth level, he joined Langan-Casetets in the fifth tier of French football but moved to Libourne Saint-Seurin in the Championnat National, winning promotion to Ligue 2. He was named Player of the Year, securing a first professional contract with Olympique Marseille the following season. Valbuena spent eight years at the club during which he won the championship once, three League Cups, two French Super Cups and the Intertoto Cup.
Photo courtesy of Santa Lucia FC
In August 2014, he signed a three-year contract with Dynamo Moscow but the following season, moved back to France to join Olympique Lyonnais, spending two years at the club before joining Fenerbahçe in Türkiye. Valbuena joined Olympiacos in Greece in 2019. With Olympiacos he won three championships and one Greek cup. He left in 2023, joining Apollon Limassol in Cyprus and the following season Athens Kallithea in Greece. Last season, he returned to Greece to play for Olympiacos B in the Super League 2.
Throughout his career, he played 58 times for the French national team, scoring eight goals. He participated in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups and the EURO 2012.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Valbuena stressed that his objective was to give his best for the club, contributing with his experience.
“My goals are simple. I will give my best for this club, as I have done throughout my career. Football is my passion and I want to share my experience with my teammates, especially the young players.”
Meanwhile speaking on behalf of the club, Samuel Mawuena explained that the Turkish investment made in the club aims to put Santa Lucia once again among the elite of Maltese football. He said that Valbuena’s experience and professional mentality will be of enormous benefit to the entire squad. Mawuena went on to say that the club has a group of talented players and that Valbuena’s presence will be a great inspiration for the youth.
“He will not only help us in the games. He will teach our players what it means to be a professional player every day. Nowadays football requires dedication, continuous training and discipline. A player like Valbuena can motivate our players to reach a higher level.”