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{{Short description|Maltese footballer (born 1986)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{BLP sources|date=October 2012}}
{{Infobox football biography
 | name          = Andrei Agius
 | image         = Andrei-agius-malta-2021.png
 | caption       = Agius playing for [[Malta national football team|Malta]] in 2021
 | height        = 1.82 m
 | birth_date    = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1986|8|12}}
 | birth_place    = [[Pietà, Malta|Pietà]], [[Malta]]
 | currentclub   = [[Hibernians F.C.|Hibernians]]
 | clubnumber    = 20
 | position      = [[Defender (association football)|Central defender]]
 | youthyears1   = 1995–1999 | youthclubs1   = [[St. Lucia F.C.|Santa Lucija]]
 | youthyears2   = 1999–2003 | youthclubs2   = [[Sliema Wanderers F.C.|Sliema Wanderers]]
 | youthyears3   = 2004      | youthclubs3   = [[FK Zemun|Zemun]]
 | years1  = 2003      | clubs1  = [[Sliema Wanderers F.C.|Sliema Wanderers]]   | caps1  = 2   | goals1  = 0
 | years2  = 2004      | clubs2  = [[FK Zemun|Zemun]]                           | caps2  = 0   | goals2  = 0
 | years3  = 2004–2005 | clubs3  = [[Sporting Mascalucia]]                      | caps3  = 26  | goals3  = 6
 | years4  = 2005–2007 | clubs4  = [[F.C. Messina Peloro|Messina]]              | caps4  = 28  | goals4  = 2
 | years5  = 2006–2007 | clubs5  = → [[A.C. Martina|Martina]] (loan)            | caps5  = 15  | goals5  = 1
 | years6  = 2007–2009 | clubs6  = [[F.C. Igea Virtus Barcellona|Igea Virtus]]  | caps6  = 68  | goals6  = 3
 | years7  = 2009–2010 | clubs7  = [[A.S.D. Nuova Cassino 1924|Cassino]]        | caps7  = 10  | goals7  = 0
 | years8  = 2010–2011 | clubs8  = [[A.S. Melfi|Melfi]]                         | caps8  = 37  | goals8  = 0
 | years9  = 2011      | clubs9  = → [[Birkirkara F.C.|Birkirkara]] (loan)      | caps9  = 12  | goals9  = 1
 | years10 = 2011–2013 | clubs10 = [[U.S. Latina Calcio|Latina]]                | caps10 = 35  | goals10 = 0 
 | years11 = 2013–2014 | clubs11 = [[S.E.F. Torres 1903|Torres]]                | caps11 = 16  | goals11 = 1
 | years12 = 2014      | clubs12 = → [[F.C. Aprilia|Aprilia]] (loan)            | caps12 = 14  | goals12 = 0
 | years13 = 2014–     | clubs13 = [[Hibernians F.C.|Hibernians]]               | caps13 = 221 | goals13 = 17
 | nationalyears1 = 2005–2008 | nationalteam1 = [[Malta national under-21 football team|Malta U21]] | nationalcaps1 = 37 | nationalgoals1 = 1
 | nationalyears2 = 2006–2022 | nationalteam2 = [[Malta national football team|Malta]] | nationalcaps2 = 103 | nationalgoals2 = 6
 | pcupdate = 25 June 2023
 | ntupdate = 7 June 2021
}}
'''Andrei Agius''' (born 12 August 1986) is a Maltese [[association football|footballer]] who plays as a central defender for [[Hibernians F.C.|Hibernians]].

==Club career==
===Early career===
Agius began his career with [[St. Lucia F.C.|Santa Lucija]], his hometown club, before joining the youth nursery of [[Sliema Wanderers F.C.|Sliema Wanderers]], the most decorated club in Maltese football.

In July 2003, Agius was part of the Sliema Wanderers under-16 squad that participated in the Nikola Kotkov Tournament, organised by the Academy Lokomotiv 101.

On 19 December 2003, aged only 17, Agius, who started out as a midfielder, made his senior debut for Sliema Wanderers in a Premier League match against [[Floriana F.C.|Floriana]] but his determination to pursue a professional career meant that, just weeks after his first senior appearance, the then teenage defender left for his first overseas challenge.

=== Serbia and Montenegro ===
Agius headed to Serbia and Montenegro to join first-division club [[FK Zemun|Zemun]] on an initial six-month contract but played mostly for Zemun's youth team, scoring two goals in the process.

=== Italy ===
In the summer of 2004, Agius moved to Italy after catching the eye of Sicilian club [[Sporting Mascalucia]] who offered him a contract. In his first season with Sport Club Mascalucia, Agius scored three goals and was voted as the most promising midfielder in the Italy's regional championship.

Following another positive season with Mascalucia, Agius secured a contract with then [[Serie A]] club [[F.C. Messina Peloro|Messina]], where he became a regular in the reserve squad. In his first season with Messina, Agius switched from midfield to defence.

In February 2006, Agius featured in the Torneo Mondiale di Calcio Coppa Carnevale and scored two goals, one against [[U.S. Pistoiese 1921|Pistoiese]] and the other against [[Torino F.C.|Torino]]. In May 2006, Agius was among the Messina substitutes for the Serie A match against [[Empoli F.C.|Empoli]].

After his initial one-year spell with Messina, Agius was loaned to Serie C side [[A.C. Martina|Martina]] during the August transfer window in 2006. In season 2006–07, Agius faced intense competition for first-team places from experienced and seasoned players but still managed to make some appearances for Martina in the [[2006–07 Coppa Italia|Coppa Italia]].

In season 2007–08, Agius moved to [[F.C. Igea Virtus Barcellona|Igea Virtus]], regarded as the second team of Messina Calcio. In his first season with Igea Virtus, Agius played 34 league matches and one in the Coppa Italia. His performances with Virtus earned him a four-year contract with Messina in March 2008 but the following summer, financial difficulties forced the Serie B club to file for bankruptcy. Agius was freed from his contractual obligations with the club and rejoined Igea Virtus where he was an automatic choice in their first team.

Later on in the 2009–10 season, Agius signed for Serie C team [[A.S.D. Nuova Cassino 1924|Cassino]] in a co-ownership deal with [[U.S. Salernitana 1919|Salernitana]]. In January 2010, Agius was loaned to [[A.S. Melfi|Melfi]], and eventually signed a two-year contract with the club. A year later, it looked as though Agius was going to sign for Serie B side [[U.S. Triestina Calcio 1918|Triestina]], and also played for the team in a triangular tournament, but nothing came of it.

In January 2011, Agius joined Maltese Premier League club [[Birkirkara F.C.|Birkirkara]] on a short-term loan deal. On 31 August 2011, Agius signed for Italian side [[U.S. Latina Calcio|Latina]], and was part of the squad that won promotion to Serie B as well as winning the [[2012–13 Coppa Italia Lega Pro]]. US Latina's promotion to the second division of Italian football led to a squad overhaul in the summer of 2013 and Agius opted to join Sardinian club [[S.E.F. Torres 1903|Torres]].

=== Return to Malta ===
In the summer of 2014, Agius returned to Malta to join [[Hibernians F.C.|Hibernians]], his hometown club. With his current club he won two [[Maltese Premier League]] titles (in [[2014–15 Maltese Premier League|2014–15]] and [[2016–17 Maltese Premier League|2016–17]]).

Agius was also in the Hibs team that caused a shock by beating Israel's [[Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C.|Maccabi Tel Aviv]] 2–1 in the first leg of their [[2015–16 UEFA Champions League]] second qualifying round tie at the [[Hibernians Stadium]] on 14 July 2015. In 2019, he won the award as [[Maltese Player of the Year]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.mfa.com.mt/en/news/news/3922/hibs-defender-agius-named-mfa-footballer-of-the-year.htm|title= Hibs defender Agius named MFA Footballer of the Year|author=<!--Not stated--> |date= 25 May 2019|website= |publisher= Maltese Football Association|access-date= 25 May 2019}}</ref>

== International career ==
Agius earned his first call-up to [[Malta national under-21 football team|Malta's under-21]] squad, then coached by [[Mark Miller (footballer)|Mark Miller]], in August 2003 for a friendly match against [[Italy national under-21 football team|Italy under-21]]. Agius has represented Malta 37 times at under-21 level. In 2005, he formed part of the Malta under-21 team that participated in the [[Football at the 2005 Mediterranean Games|Mediterranean Games]], held in [[Almería]], Spain.

In February 2006, Agius, then aged 19, was named in Malta's senior squad for the biennial Malta International football tournament. The other participating nations were [[Georgia national football team|Georgia]] and [[Moldova national football team|Moldova]].

On 4 June 2021, he played his 100th match for Malta in a 2–1 loss in a friendly match against [[Kosovo national football team|Kosovo]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-06-05/football/Friendly-match-Late-defensive-slip-again-lets-Malta-down-6736234074 |title=Friendly match: Late defensive slip again lets Malta down |website=independent.com.mt |date=5 June 2021 }}</ref>

==Career statistics==

{| class="wikitable"
! # !! Country !! Season!! Club !! League !! Appearances !! Goals
|-
| 1. || Serbia|| 2003–04||FK Zemun|| Under 18||17||1
|-
| 2. || Italy|| 2004–05||FC Mascalucia|| Eccellenza||26||6
|-
| 3. || Italy|| 2005–06||FC Messina||Primavera||28 ||2
|-
| 4. || Italy|| 2006–07||FC Martina Franca||C1||5 ||0
|-
| 5. || Italy|| 2007–08||FC Igea Virtus||C2||35 ||1
|-
| 6. || Italy|| 2008–09||FC Igea Virtus||C2||33 ||2
|-
| 7. || Italy|| 2009–10||SS Cassino Calcio||C2||10 ||0
|-
| 8. || Italy|| 2010–11||A.S Melfi||C2||17 ||0
|-
| 9. || Italy|| 2011–11||A.S Melfi||C2||14 ||0
|-
| 10. || Malta|| 2011–11||Birkirkara FC Malta||Premier League Malta||14 ||1
|-
| 11. || Italy|| 2011–13||Latina Calcio||C1||36 ||1
|-
| 12. || Italy|| 2013–14||Torres FC Calcio||C2||14 ||1
|-
| 13. || Italy|| 2013–14||Aprilia||C2||16 ||0
|-
| 14. || Malta|| 2014–16||Hibernians||Premier League Malta||85 ||10
|}

===International goals===
:''Scores and results list Malta's goal tally first.''<ref name="NFT">{{cite web|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/14615/Andrei_Agius.html|title=Agius, Andrei|publisher=National Football Teams|accessdate=10 October 2017}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%;"
! No !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
|-
| 1. || 14 August 2012 || [[San Marino Stadium]], [[Serravalle, San Marino|Serravalle]], [[San Marino]] || {{fb|SMR}} || align=center | '''2'''–1 || align=center | 3–2 || [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| 2. || 5 October 2017 || [[Ta' Qali National Stadium]], [[Ta' Qali]], [[Malta]] || {{fb|LIT}} || align=center | '''1'''–0 || align=center | 1–1 || [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group F|2018 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| 3. || 29 May 2018 || Gernot Langes Stadion, [[Wattens]], [[Austria]] || {{fb|ARM}} || align=center | '''1'''–0 || align=center | 1–1 || Friendly
|-
| 4. || 10 September 2018 || Ta' Qali National Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta || {{fb|AZE}} || align=center | '''1'''–0 || align=center | 1–1 || [[2018–19 UEFA Nations League D]]
|-
| 5. || 11 October 2018 || [[Fadil Vokrri Stadium]], [[Pristina]], [[Kosovo]] || {{fb|KOS}} || align=center | '''1'''–1 || align=center | 1–3|| 2018–19 UEFA Nations League D
|-
| 6. || 3 September 2020 || [[Tórsvøllur]], [[Tórshavn]], [[Faroe Islands]] || {{fb|FRO}} || align=center | '''2'''–1 || align=center | 2–3||[[2020–21 UEFA Nations League D]]
|}

==Honours==
'''US Calcio Latina'''
*[[Coppa Italia Lega Pro]]: [[2012–13 Coppa Italia Lega Pro|2012–13]]

'''Hibernians'''
*[[Maltese Premier League]]: [[2014–15 Maltese Premier League|2014–15]], [[2016–17 Maltese Premier League|2016–17 2021-22]]
*[[Maltese Super Cup]]: 2015

'''Individual'''
*Malta Football Players Association Team of the Year: 2014–15
*[[Maltese Player of the Year]]: 2019

==See also==
* [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Blogspot|andreiagius}}
*{{Eu-football.info|138}}

{{Hibernians F.C. squad}}
{{Maltese Player of the Year}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Agius, Andrei}}
[[Category:1986 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Pietà, Malta]]
[[Category:Maltese men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football defenders]]
[[Category:ASD Cassino Calcio 1924 players]]
[[Category:FK Zemun players]]
[[Category:ACR Messina players]]
[[Category:ASD Martina Calcio 1947 players]]
[[Category:ASD Nuova Igea Virtus players]]
[[Category:AS Melfi players]]
[[Category:Birkirkara F.C. players]]
[[Category:Maltese Premier League players]]
[[Category:Maltese expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Serbia and Montenegro]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy]]
[[Category:Maltese expatriate sportspeople in Italy]]
[[Category:Maltese expatriate sportspeople in Serbia and Montenegro]]
[[Category:Malta men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:Malta men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Competitors at the 2005 Mediterranean Games]]
[[Category:SEF Torres 1903 players]]
[[Category:FC Aprilia Racing Club players]]
[[Category:Mediterranean Games competitors for Malta]]
[[Category:FIFA Men's Century Club]]