Haverfordwest County AFC are delighted to announce the signing of Maltese defender Luke Tabone for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old centre-back joins the Bluebirds on a two-year deal from Gżira United, where he had a year remaining on his contract. He will wear the number 25 shirt.

Luke, who stands at 6ft 4in, has spent the last two seasons in Gżira, a small harbour town located on the north-east coast of Malta, where he played a regular part in the team that secured European qualification in both 2021-22 and 2022-23.

The Maroons, who finished third in last season’s Maltese Premier League, were a potential opponent for the Bluebirds in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League, before the teams were drawn to face Glentoran of Northern Ireland and KF Shkëndija of North Macedonia respectively.

Ironically, our newest recruit has already been involved in a match at the Toše Proeski Arena – the venue for next Thursday’s UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round tie with KF Shkëndija – where he was a member of the squad for Malta’s 2-1 defeat to North Macedonia in Euro 2024 qualifying back in March. 

Luke becomes our seventh signing of the summer window, joining Ifan Knott, Kai Whitmore, Tyrese Owen, Rio Dyer, Martell Taylor-Crossdale and Kayden Williams-Lowe in putting pen-to-paper with the Bluebirds, and we are delighted to have him on board.

Commenting on our latest signing, manager Tony Pennock said: “We’re extremely pleased to get this deal finalised. Luke has been a major target for some time. His experience will not only benefit us in Europe, but also for a tough Cymru Premier season ahead.

“As with our other signings, he will fit in with in perfectly to how we want to play as a team.