Newly promoted Hamrun Spartans’ primary aim this season is to retain their hard won status among the elite of Maltese football.

President Gaetano Debattista, appointed these last few days after an Executive Committee meeting, told reporters that it had been a very hectic summer for the club. “During this transfer market, we have had 17 new signings, among them seven foreigners. This is perhaps the biggest squad which the club has had, at least since my connection with the club many years ago,” he said.

Debattista said the club has invested in such a squad as it was their aim to keep the club where it belongs – the Premier League. “That is what this club and its numerous fans deserve. We will be doing our very best to keep our fans happy. We intend to keep a good level so that our fans will return to the football stadia in the interest of the club and also of Maltese football in general,” he added.

Debattista revealed that young Jake Grech has been promoted to the captaincy of the squad. “He is our brightest young star, confirming his love for the club by signing a five-year contract a few days ago, despite the considerable amount of interest from the top clubs,” said the president.

He went on to say that the committee was sure that the hard work of the summer will reap dividends as the season advances. He added: “We are sure that coach Steve D’Amato and his technical staff are doing a very good job. We feel confident that we will provide all opponents with some tough opposition.”

D’Amato said he was happy with the squad and reiterated the president’s insistence that the target was to establish themselves in the Premier Division.

But added: “We will have to continue working hard for it. We have had an encouraging start. Now that the competition will no longer see the division of the points at the half-way stage, we have to ensure our position as early as possible. Until last year we used to say that the League starts in January. Now it starts in August from the beginning of the season,” he said.

Joe Bugeja, the club’s administrator, said three years ago, the Spartans had started working on a three-year project which was a success. “In three years, we have moved into the Premier League. Our objectives are to continue strengthening the team. If we remain united – committee, squad and fans – then we must feel confident that this success story will continue.”

The press conference was held at the premises of one of the club’s official sponsors, Video Slots.

New signings

Matthew Farrugia, David Cassar, Luke Sciberras, Darren Falzon, Philip Chircop, Jake Grech, Mark Anthony Borg, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Luis Miguel Verdara Rodriguez, Patrick Jean Teixeira Maia, Jorge Mesqueu Neto, Sergio Raphael Dos Anjos, Leandro Wallace Mottta dos Santos, Christian Maldini and Giusti Massimiliano.