Nikola Vasilj leaves a favorable impression at St. Pauli
FC St. Pauli Strengthens Squad for 2025/26 Season
FC St. Pauli has bolstered its squad for the 2025/26 season with the addition of several new players. Nikola Vasilj, the goalkeeper of FC St. Pauli, expressed his admiration for the new signings, stating that they have the potential to significantly improve the performance of the Kiez club.
The new reinforcements include Joel Chima Fujita, a promising Japanese midfielder, who joined the team for €3 million. Fujita has shown impressive defensive skills on the ball and his offensive contributions have been notable since the season start.
Another significant addition is Louis Oppie, who joined from Bielefeld for €2 million to fill the right-back slot vacated by Philipp Treu. Oppie has quickly integrated into the starting lineup and settled in well at the club.
Andreas Hountondji, a forward loaned from Burnley, has contributed goals during pre-season and could strengthen the forward line. Mathias Pereira Lage, a winger signed from Stade Brestois on a free transfer, has already been influential in attacking plays, with 2 goals and 7 assists in Ligue 1 last season.
Arkadiusz Pyrka, a right-back from Piast Gliwice, also signed on a free transfer, has given depth to the defense. Lamin Keita, a versatile winger and academy product, signed recently and adds further attacking options to the team.
The selection of new players was based on both sporting quality and character traits. Vasilj mentioned Joel Chima Fujita and Louis Oppie as new players who will help FC St. Pauli, but did not want to neglect any of the new players, including the injured Ricky-Jade Jones.
The new blend of players has led to improved offensive performances early in the season. After struggling with poor home goal-scoring records in the previous campaign, St. Pauli managed to match their November home goal tally in August alone, highlighted by a 3-3 home draw against Borussia Dortmund with many of these new signings starting.
Overall, the recruitment strategy breaks previous transfer records and focuses on young, promising talent and experienced free transfers. Early indications suggest these moves have positively influenced team chemistry and attacking productivity under head coach Alexander Blessin.
FC St. Pauli has signed a total of eight new professionals for the new season, with the aim of building a good team, not focusing on individual players. With these new additions, St. Pauli still has a chance to compete at the top of the league this season.
[1] Sports Illustrated [2] Bild [3] Sport1 [3] Kicker [5] St. Pauli Official Website
