Ħamrun Spartans have officially confirmed the signing of Merlin Hadži, a Serbian-born winger with Swiss citizenship and a former Switzerland Under-20 international, as the Maltese champions continue their major squad overhaul ahead of their UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign. The 26-year-old brings speed, flair, and tactical versatility, adding another layer of quality to a team intent on breaking into European football’s elite stages.
Hadži is a product of the prestigious BSC Young Boys academy in Switzerland and has previously played in both the Swiss league and briefly in Liechtenstein with FC Vaduz. Known for his ability to operate effectively on both flanks, he is expected to become a key figure for Ħamrun in their European push. His experience at the youth international level with Switzerland adds further pedigree to an already deep and competitive squad.
The addition of Hadži brings the number of foreign players in the Ħamrun squad to fourteen, underlining the club’s ambitious intentions. These include Jovan Čadjenović, a , Serbian midfielder, Ognjen Bjelicic, Brazilian duo Emerson and Ederson, and now Hadži himself. This list does not include Garcia, who, although he holds Maltese citizenship, originates from Argentina and is also part of the club’s international profile.
Ħamrun Spartans are building with a purpose. After a disappointing European campaign last season, which saw them eliminated early in both the Champions League and Conference League qualifiers, the club is leaving no margin for error. With a revamped squad that now boasts fourteen foreign players and considerable depth in every position, the message is clear. Ħamrun are not simply aiming to compete. They are targeting qualification to the group stages of UEFA competitions and are determined to make their mark on the European stage.
The Spartans will begin that journey on Wednesday, 9 July, when they face Lithuanian champions FK Žalgiris in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. The first leg will take place at the LFF Stadionas in Vilnius, with Ħamrun hoping to take advantage of playing the second leg on home soil in Malta.
Malta Sport will be on location in Lithuania, providing exclusive coverage of the team’s preparations. Our correspondent will deliver live updates from training sessions, press conferences, and interviews with key players and supporters, along with behind-the-scenes footage and expert analysis as Ħamrun Spartans look to write a historic new chapter in their European journey.
