New SPAL president Joseph Portelli has outlined an ambitious vision for the historic Italian club, declaring that his long-term objective is to guide them from the Eccellenza all the way to Serie A.

The Gozitan businessman, who is also president of Maltese champions Ħamrun Spartans, made his intentions clear during his official presentation to the Italian media at a press conference in Ferrara.

Introducing his new administrative team, Portelli highlighted the successful partnership he has built with Marcel Bonnici during their time at Ħamrun Spartans.

“We have worked together for several years at Ħamrun Spartans and have won four league titles in the last six years,” Portelli said.

“It wasn’t easy. More importantly, we managed to lead Ħamrun Spartans to the League Phase of the UEFA Conference League, something that had never been achieved in 125 years of Maltese football.”

Portelli said he is now ready for a fresh challenge in Italy, with his immediate objective being to secure promotion from the Eccellenza to Serie D.

“We are here for a new challenge, and we know our first objective is to win promotion to Serie D,” he said.

“There is a lot of pressure, and we accept it. We have lost two months because of the previous Argentine owners, and now we have very little time to do things the way we want.”

The Maltese businessman revealed that his interest in acquiring an Italian club began several months ago.

“Seven or eight months ago I started looking for an Italian club to buy. SPAL was always on my list, but at the time the club was not for sale,” he explained.

“In the meantime, we visited five other clubs and came very close to concluding a deal with Nocerina. Then Marcel informed me that SPAL had become available, so we came here to meet the Argentine owners.”

Portelli admitted negotiations proved challenging and disclosed that he paid €2 million to acquire full control of the club.

“The Argentine owners were not easy people to deal with, and I had to pay €2 million to take full control. I didn’t feel they showed me much respect, but now we are here and, over the last three weeks, we have been working hard to reorganise the club and strengthen the squad.”

Looking ahead to the new season, Portelli confirmed that SPAL have already made significant progress in the transfer market.

“We have already signed several players from Serie D and only one from the Eccellenza,” he said.

“We hope to complete the signing of two more players within the next 48 hours.”

Portelli’s arrival has generated renewed optimism among SPAL supporters, with the club hoping to begin its climb back through the Italian football pyramid under the leadership of the Maltese entrepreneur.