Saint Paul's Sheds Its Elder Player, Welcomes Europa League Returnee
Viva La Departures! The Final Blow at St. Pauli's Home Game
Bouquets were notably absent at St. Pauli's home game against Bochum, a disappointing 0:2 loss. This has led to a sudden flurry of farewell greetings from the club to its departing players. The MOPO takes a look at the five players who've said their goodbyes so far.
Albers' Lucky BreakAndreas Albers, a 35-year-old Danish veteran, managed to score a Bundesliga goal in his career, thanks to a fortunate shot against TSG Hoffenheim as a late sub. Although he made 14 substitute appearances, he never played more than ten minutes. New arrivals Noah Weißhaupt and Abdoulie Ceesay pushed Albers down the striker ladder, and he last played in mid-February. As paths diverge, we move on.
Zoller's Injury NightmareSimon Zoller is a St. Pauli legend in his own right. His career peaked when he came on as a substitute in the 90th minute of the game that led to St. Pauli's promotion to the Bundesliga. Unfortunately, a string of injuries, including thigh, back, and muscular issues, followed, and Zoller was out for good. He announced his retirement in April.
Van der Heyden's Short but Memorable StayBelgian defender Siebe Van der Heyden joined St. Pauli on loan from RCD Mallorca in the winter break and will now return. In 13 appearances, he showed a solid performance, although his permanent commitment to the club remained debatable. St. Pauli has already secured a defensive commitment for the coming season with the younger Polish right-back Arkadiusz Pyrka.
Weißhaupt's Successful LoanNoah Weißhaupt, like Van der Heyden, joined St. Pauli on loan from SC Freiburg, and it proved to be a fruitful decision. Weißhaupt played in all 19 possible games, scored the crucial goal against Hoffenheim, and played a pivotal role in the last-minute Kiel victory. Regrettably, contracts are contracts, and Weißhaupt is bound to return to SC Freiburg for the Europa League season.
Robert Wagner's Difficult SeasonRobert Wagner, a 21-year-old, started the season as a regular player but sustained thigh injuries in November and January, which led to his fall from grace. Although he made 12 appearances, he spent only 403 minutes on the pitch. Wagner is now seeking a fresh start at Holstein Kiel.
Bid Adieu, Bois!Apart from the players mentioned, several players like Tim Lemperle, Dejan Ljubicic, Jonas Nickisch, Mathias Olesen, Marvin Obuz, Philipp Pentke, Anthony Racioppi, Mark Uth, Ayoub Chaikhoun, and more have also bid adieu to St. Pauli. Some returned to their previous clubs, others retired, or moved to different teams. As the curtains close on the 2024/25 season, we bid farewell to the players who contributed to St. Pauli's past and look forward to those who will shape the future. Stay tuned with MOPO for more!
Sports and European leagues: Andreas Albers, a departing player from St. Pauli, managed to score a Bundesliga goal in his career from a fortunate shot against TSG Hoffenheim as a late sub, participating in European football leagues. Noah Weißhaupt, another departing player, joined St. Pauli on loan from SC Freiburg and will soon return, showcasing his talent in 19 games and scoring a crucial goal against Hoffenheim, thereby making an impact in European football leagues.
