Liberian international defender Adolphus Marshall may not be playing in one of Europe’s top football leagues but the 27-year-old’s Maltese-based club, Gudja United, has now gained two promotions in two consecutive seasons.

With three games to end the 2018-19 Maltese First Division league season, Gudja sealed their qualification to the top-flight league following a 3-1 win over the Naxxar Lions at home. Dhonatan Santos, Jackson Lima, and Emerson Vella got the goals to help Gudja defeat Lions, who got their lone goal through Joel Ellul.

Gudja United’s promotion to the Maltese Premier League came as a surprise with the club’s poor performance from the start of the league season. New to the Maltese first division, Gudja drew their first three games and their chances of qualification at the end of the season appeared almost impossible.

However, they put their pieces together and came back stronger to collect 14 wins in their next 20 games to grab a place in the Maltese Premier League. Out of the club’s 23 games played in the league, the Liberian Marshall has made 21 appearances and scored 3 goals.

He joined Gudja United during the 2017 summer transfer when they were still in the Maltese second division and helped them qualify at the end of the 2017-18 season. He was named the club’s best player and nominated for the Maltese second division most valuable player award, which he lost.

Gudja United’s promotion to the Maltese Premier League means Marshall will play in the top flight of European football for the first time in the 2019-20 season if he stays at the club.

Featured photo courtesy of Gudja United