| Birth date | 1893[1] |
|---|---|
| Birth place | Ħamrun, Crown Colony of Malta[1] |
| Death date | 14 March 1968 (aged 74–75) |
| Position | Defender |
| Years 1 | 1910–1918 |
| Clubs 1 | Ħamrun Spartans |
| Years 2 | 1918–1919 |
| Clubs 2 | KOMRM |
| Years 3 | 1920–1921 |
| Clubs 3 | Marsa United |
| Years 4 | 1921–1922 |
| Clubs 4 | Malta Police |
| Years 5 | 1922–1925 |
| Clubs 5 | Floriana |
Gejtu Psaila (1893 – 14 March 1968), also known as Il-Haċċa, was a Maltese footballer who played as a defender. He was the first ever professional footballer from Malta, and was considered one of the best Maltese footballers of all time.[2]
Club career
Psaila began his career at Ħamrun Spartans in 1910, where he helped them win two league titles.[2] In 1918, he joined a team representing The King's Own Malta Regiment, who he had previously played for in a charity match for in 1916.[3] Psaila helped the team win the 1918–19 Maltese First Division,[2] in the team's only league season. He spent the 1920–21 season at newly-formed Marsa United, before joining the Malta Police football team, which he helped create.[2]
At Malta Police, he was considered one of the team's star players for the 1921–22 season, and was the team's captain.[2] In 1922, he signed for Floriana, where he became Malta's first ever professional footballer.[2] Psaila spent three seasons at Floriana, where he helped them win the Cassar Cup in 1923 and the Maltese First Division in the 1924–25 season, before retiring from football.[2]
In 2022, Psaila was chosen by the IFFHS for their Malta all-time men's dream team.[4]
International career
While the Malta national football team did not exist yet, Psaila represented an MFA League XI during World War I.[5]
Personal life
Two of his sons, Romeo and Gejtu Jr, were also footballers.[1][2]
Honours
- Ħamrun Spartans
- KOMRM
- Maltese First Division: 1918–19
- Floriana
- Cassar Cup: 1923
- Maltese First Division: 1924–25
- Individual
References
- ^ Baldacchino, Carmel (December 2018). "'A legend in his lifetime'". Retrieved 19 April 2026.
- ^ Baldacchino, Carmel (28 July 2011). "Centre-half Psaila creates family legacy". Times of Malta. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
- ^ Baldacchino, Carmel (30 March 2017). "Tal-Militia keep flag flying". Times of Malta. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
- ^ "IFFHS MEN’S ALL TIME MALTA DREAM TEAM - 126". iffhs.com. 20 February 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
- ^ Baldacchino, Carmel (7 April 2016). "The national team back in 1917". Times of Malta. Retrieved 19 April 2026.