Maltese teenager Jayden Cutajar is turning heads across Europe after a prolific spell for club and country that underlines his status as one of the brightest talents in water polo. The 18-year-old delivered across two demanding stages, first at the European U18 Men’s Elite Championships in Oradea and then in Serbia’s Regional Premier League with Partizan, showcasing a blend of speed, precision and composure that has impressed coaches and scouts alike.
At the U18 event in Romania, he ranked fifth in the elite division scoring charts with 20 goals, an impressive return against the strongest young prospects on the continent. The list was headed by Greece’s Dimitrios Chatzis with 31, followed by compatriot Ilias Angelopoulos on 30 and Hungary’s Mor Benedek on 28. Cutajar’s contribution stood out not only for volume but also for variety, with goals from the post, quick releases under pressure and accurate shooting in late clock situations.
He carried that form straight back into club colours with Partizan, striking a hat trick in a 13-10 defeat to European heavyweights Novi Beograd. The match was effectively shaped by an explosive first quarter that saw Novi Beograd surge 8-1 ahead, but Cutajar’s assured finishing helped Partizan mount a spirited late push. His movement in transition, timing to create separation, and calm execution in front of the goal offered further evidence that he can influence games at the senior level.
A product of Sliema ASC, Cutajar has risen rapidly through the ranks to secure a place in Partizan’s senior set-up while also breaking into the Malta national team. Those who follow his progress point to his decision-making, work rate and resilience, qualities that have translated from junior international play to a league widely regarded as one of the strongest in Europe.
The next challenge is consistency across the domestic schedule and continued impact with Malta. On current evidence, Cutajar is already operating comfortably among Europe’s leading young forwards, and his trajectory suggests there is considerably more to come.
