LEXINGTON, Ky. – Lexington SC midfielder Yannick Yankam has been called up to the Malta national team for the country's upcoming international friendlies. Yankam, who joined Lexington over the offseason, is the first active UEFA international to play in USL League One.

Malta will play the Czech Republic on June 7 and Greece on June 11 at the Untersberg-Arena in Grödig, Austria, in preparation for the UEFA Nations League, which is set to return in September. Malta is in League D along with Moldova, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Gibraltar and San Marino.

A native of Qormi, Malta, the midfielder started his career within the youth ranks of his hometown club, Qormi FC. Between 2015 and 2019, Yankam totaled 94 appearances and 11 goal contributions for Qormi across the top-flight Premier League, second-division Challenge League, Maltese FA Trophy and National Amateur League promotion playoff competition.

In 2019, Yankam made the move to four-time Premier League champions Birkirkara FC. With Birkirkara, Yankam has made 108 appearances and registered 16 goals and 13 assists across UEFA Europa Conference League qualification, Maltese Premier League, Maltese Super Cup and Maltese FA Trophy play. Yankam claimed his first trophy in April 2023, captaining Birkirkara to its sixth Maltese FA Trophy.

After spending time with the Maltese youth national team, the 26-year-old midfielder has made 12 appearances and scored one goal with the senior national team across FIFA World Cup qualification, UEFA European Championship qualification and international friendly play. Yankam made his senior national team debut with the Reds in a match against North Macedonia in March 2023, recording an assist. Since then, Yankam has made appearances against Italy, England and Ukraine, among others.

Joining Lexington SC over the offseason, Yankam has made six appearances for the club across USL League One and USL Jägermeister Cup play, totaling two goals and three League One Team of the Week nods.

Lexington SC has one match during the June international window, a road trip to face Barrel Brawl rival One Knoxville SC as part of the USL Jägermeister Cup on June 8.