Valletta veteran calls it a day

Valletta FC's former Maltese international John Buttigieg has decided to hang up his boots at the age of 38 after more than 20 years in the game.

Illustrious career
The defender spent more than ten years as captain of Malta and enjoyed an illustrious career that included a spell in England. He started at Sliema Wanderers FC, making his first-team bow in 1981/82 before moving to London to join Brentford FC in 1988. He then had a spell at Swindon Town FC before returning to Malta to join Floriana FC in early 1991. He stayed until the 1998/99 season before making his final move to Valletta. He enjoyed much success with Valletta, especially in the 2000/01 campaign, when the club lifted six trophies.

Elegant play
Buttigieg made his international debut in September 1984, in a 2-1 friendly defeat by Israel. His last major outing for his country came against England in a June 2000 friendly, which also finished 2-1 to the opposition. Buttigieg will be regarded as one of the most influential Maltese defenders of all time, not least for his elegant play and professional attitude.