HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY has made a significant addition to their squad as they prepare for their crucial UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying match. The team has secured the services of Maltese defender Luke Tabone ahead of their upcoming clash with KF Shkendija.

In a bid to claim victory in their away leg on Thursday, July 13, the Bluebirds will travel to North Macedonia. They will then play the return leg at Cardiff City Stadium on July 20.

Luke Tabone, a 25-year-old centre-back, has joined the Bluebirds on a two-year deal from Gżira United, although the transfer fee remains undisclosed. Tabone still had one year remaining on his contract with Gżira United before making the move to Haverfordwest County.

Expressing his satisfaction with the latest signing, manager Tony Pennock stated, “We’re extremely pleased to get this deal finalized. Luke has been a major target for some time. His experience will not only benefit us in Europe but also in the challenging Cymru Premier season ahead. He will fit in perfectly with how we want to play as a team.”

Standing at an impressive 6 feet 4 inches, Tabone has played a significant role for Gżira United over the past two seasons, contributing to their successful European qualification campaigns in 2022 and 2023.

Interestingly, the Maroons, who finished third in the previous Maltese Premier League season, could have been a potential opponent for the Bluebirds. However, they will face Glentoran from Northern Ireland instead.

In a twist of fate, Tabone has already experienced a match at the Toše Proeski Arena, the venue for Haverfordwest County’s UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round tie. He was part of Malta’s squad in their 2-1 defeat to North Macedonia during the Euro 2024 qualifying stage in March. Tabone’s wealth of experience will undoubtedly enhance the Bluebirds’ squad.

Tabone’s signing marks the seventh addition to the team during the summer transfer window, joining the likes of Ifan Knott, Kai Whitmore, Tyrese Owen, Rio Dyer, Martell Taylor-Crossdale, and Kayden Williams-Lowe.

To prepare for their upcoming fixture in North Macedonia, the Bluebirds engaged in a friendly match against a Swansea City XI, which ended in a 2-0 defeat. Josh Thomas and Joel Piroe were the scorers in that match.

Manager Pennock expressed his optimism ahead of the European trip, saying, “We’ve not had much of a break since the win at Newtown, but the lads are in good spirits, and so they should be. They worked extremely hard last year to get into the playoffs, and winning them was exceptional. However, we are not going there just to make up the numbers in Europe. We are going to give a good account of ourselves, and that’s what we’ve been training for. It will be a fantastic experience for the players and the staff who will be traveling.”

Shkendija, Haverfordwest County’s opponents, finished third in the 2022/23 season and have been champions of their nation’s top division four times. In the UEFA Champions League qualifiers of 2018/19, they triumphed over The New Saints. Last season, they advanced to the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League. Manager Pennock has analyzed videos of their summer matches and expects a challenging test for his team.

In a gesture of goodwill, Shkendija has announced free entry for all away fans during the upcoming match. Tickets will be available at the stadium for traveling fans to collect before entry. Supporters traveling to North Macedonia and wishing to attend the match are requested to email their full name to [email protected] to secure their tickets.

The winners of this tie will face either B36 Tórshavn from the Faroe Islands or Paide Linnameeskond from Estonia in the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference.