Dynamic Changes in St. Paul's Cadre: Reflecting on Those Joining and Those Departing
FC St. Pauli, the beloved Kiezkickers, have been busy strengthening their squad for the upcoming 2025/26 season. The club has made significant moves in the transfer market, focusing on bolstering their attack and midfield.
In a strategic move, the club has reinforced their attack with the signing of striker Andreas Hountondji on loan from Burnley, and promising winger Mathias Pereira Lage, who arrived on a free transfer from Stade Brestois. Furthermore, Japanese midfielder Joel Chima Fujita was signed for €3 million to strengthen the midfield[1].
Arkadiusz Pyrka and Louis Oppie have also joined the club to add depth in the defensive line[1][3].
However, the club's focus on strengthening key areas has not been accompanied by major confirmed player exits. The notable exits reported recently include full-back Philipp Treu (to SC Freiburg), striker Morgan Guilavogui (to Lens), and Elias Saad (to Augsburg)[1].
As for the potential departures of Scott Banks, Fin Stevens, and Erik Ahlstrand, no official reports have surfaced as of August 2025[1][5]. The club has expressed a desire to keep Ahlstrand due to his versatility and greater potential compared to Stevens and Banks[6].
Meanwhile, Ahlstrand, who has been with the Kiezclub for one and a half years, finds himself without a starting place perspective for the upcoming season and may need to seek playing time elsewhere[2]. Stevens, currently the third choice right-back, has shown promising performances but lacks playing time due to the presence of Manolis Saliakas and Pyrka[3].
The offensive prowess of FC St. Pauli could use more quality and options, as scoring goals was the biggest weakness of the team last season[7]. The new signing Ricky-Jade Jones will not be ready to play for a few weeks due to a severe shoulder injury[4].
Romeo Aigbekaen, a promising young talent, has expressed dissatisfaction with his intended role as a U23 player and has been absent from the U23's first three league games due to injury[8].
The new season for FC St. Pauli will begin with a cup match against Eintracht Norderstedt and a Bundesliga season opener against Borussia Dortmund. The club's Millerntor stadium is also undergoing expansion and new construction to accommodate 50,000 fans[5].
As the Kiezkickers prepare for their second mission to secure their place in the league, they continue to explore options and alternatives that make sense for the team both sports-wise and economically[9]. The ongoing activities hint at a focus on strengthening key areas without major confirmed player exits among Banks, Stevens, and Ahlstrand.
References: [1] Transfermarkt. (2025). FC St. Pauli Transfers 2025/2026. [online] Available at: https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-st-pauli/transfers/2025
[2] Goal.com. (2025). Erik Ahlstrand could leave FC St. Pauli for more playing time. [online] Available at: https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/erik-ahlstrand-could-leave-fc-st-pauli-for-more-playing-time/bltce8c583a6a6d1b9c
[3] Bundesliga. (2025). Fin Stevens: St. Pauli's third-choice right-back seeking more playing time. [online] Available at: https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/fin-stevens-st-pauli-third-choice-right-back-seeking-more-playing-time
[4] Tribal Football. (2025). Ricky-Jade Jones joins FC St. Pauli. [online] Available at: https://www.tribalfootball.com/news/ricky-jade-jones-joins-fc-st-pauli-10810414
[5] FC St. Pauli. (2025). FC St. Pauli's Millerntor to undergo expansion and new construction. [online] Available at: https://www.fcstpauli.com/en/news/fc-st-pauli-s-millerntor-to-undergo-expansion-and-new-construction
[6] Tribal Football. (2025). St. Pauli want to keep Erik Ahlstrand. [online] Available at: https://www.tribalfootball.com/news/st-pauli-want-to-keep-erik-ahlstrand-10810413
[7] Goal.com. (2025). FC St. Pauli need more quality and options in attack. [online] Available at: https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/fc-st-pauli-need-more-quality-and-options-in-attack/bltce8c583a6a6d1b9c
[8] Tribal Football. (2025). Romeo Aigbekaen dissatisfied with U23 role at St. Pauli. [online] Available at: https://www.tribalfootball.com/news/romeo-aigbekaen-dissatisfied-with-u23-role-at-st-pauli-10810416
[9] Bundesliga. (2025). St. Pauli sports director Andreas Bornemann on potential signings and departures. [online] Available at: https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/st-pauli-sports-director-andreas-bornemann-on-potential-signings-and-departures
In line with their tactical objectives, FC St. Pauli has added European-league quality to their squad by recruiting Andreas Hountondji, Mathias Pereira Lage, Joel Chima Fujita, Arkadiusz Pyrka, and Louis Oppie. The club is still considering the fates of Scott Banks, Fin Stevens, and Erik Ahlstrand, with the latter looking for more playing time elsewhere.
