Bajada nets MFA player of the year award to crown excellent season

Shaun Bajada was last night named MFA Footballer of the Year for season 2009/10.

The eagerly-awaited announcement of the winner of the most coveted individual honour in Maltese football was made by Joe Mifsud, the president of the Malta FA, during an awards ceremony at the Radisson Blu Resort, St Julian's.

Bajada, 26, fended off competition from Birkirkara team-mate Trevor Cilia, the runner-up, third-placed Denni, who turned out for Tarxien Rainbows last season, and Valletta duo Gilbert Agius and Kevin Sammut.

The five finalists for the MFA award emerged after a poll of club officials and football journalists, held last month at the association's headquarters at Ta' Qali.

Although all nominees had a good season, especially newly-signed Valletta forward Denni, who has won The Times best player accolade, the race for the MFA Footballer of the Year award was widely viewed as a two-way duel between Bajada and Cilia.

Their outstanding performances were a determining factor in Birkirkara's title success as Bajada and Cilia not only tormented their opponents with their fine individual play but also came up with some crucial goals in decisive matches.

The two Birkirkara stalwarts also underlined their status as the leading contenders for the MFA prize by collecting a host of accolades in the Malta Football Awards and Replay Gala Night.

Ultimately, the honour went to Bajada who is the first Birkirkara player to win the MFA player of the year award.

"I feel happy and proud about my nomination as MFA Footballer of the Year," the unassuming Bajada told The Times.

"Winning the league title was my no.1 target last season because team success comes first but it's always nice when you receive individual recognition.

"This is a special moment for me but this award also belongs to all those who have supported me, the coach, players, fans and my family."

A product of the Floriana nursery, Bajada had long been bracketed among the country's brightest talents but it was only after he joined Birkirkara from Marsaxlokk in 2007 that he finally began to do his reputation justice.

His steady progress also propelled Bajada into the national team and his participation at international level last season will have bolstered his candidature for the MFA gong, given that appearances for Malta are worth points in this contest.

"Being part of the national team is very important for me," Bajada, who hit six goals in the league last season, said.

"Every player wants to play for his country."

Season 2009/10 will go down as Bajada's annus mirabilis but the MFA player of the year is unfazed by the heightened expectations.

"If we play like we did last season, I see no reason why we shouldn't have another successful year," Bajada, who recently signed a two-year contract extension with Birkirkara, said.

"It's all about the performance of the team because individuals alone can't win trophies," Bajada added.

Bajada faces a tall order to emulate last season's achievements but the early indications are indeed very encouraging as he followed up his influential display in the 4-3 win over Andorra's FC Santa Coloma with another fine showing in the 1-0 victory over Slovak champions MSK Zilina.

Last 10 Winners

2009 - C. Failla (Sliema)
2008 - K. Sammut (Marsaxlokk)
2007 - G. Agius (Valletta)
2006 - A. Cohen (Hibs)
2005 - A. Cohen (Hibs)
2004 - S. Giglio (Sliema)
2003 - N. Turner (Sliema)
2002 - A. Mifsud (Hibs)
2001 - G. Agius (Valletta)
2000 - E. Barry (Sliema)