Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Steven Gibson Photography/Football Queensland

Brisbane City have added former Maltese Under 21 international squad member and PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland Premiership winner Jayke Cuschieri to their 2016 squad.

The announcement marks the 21-year-old fullback’s return to the club he played five games for in 2013 - including a cameo off the bench in the City's inaugural PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Grand Final loss to Olympic FC.

In total Cuschieri has made a combined 43 appearances in the national second tier for City, Jets and Sunshine Coast FC in the past three years, but could only fashion eight first team starts last season.

He said his aim is now to settle into City's set-up for the long haul and become a reliable contributor for coach John Kosmina.

“At the end of the day I have moved because I want to play more first team football,” he explained.

“I think at City with Kossie it’s a good opportunity to pull my finger out and, if I can do well, then it’s up to him whether he thinks I’m ready for that step.”

Cuschieri added that despite a burgeoning career in real estate, his dream remains to play full-time professional football - preferably in the Hyundai A-League.

“My move isn’t solely about John Kosmina, but it will help me that there is that A-League experience at the club so I can give myself the best chance of making that leap.”

“At the end of the day I’d rather be a footballer than anything else and I think this is the best opportunity to fulfil that dream.”

Cuschieri's departure adds to the exodus from the defending PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Champion Jets, with six players now confirmed as departing the club since the end of the 2015 campaign.