"St. Pauli has a new team member"
Former St. Pauli Defender Heads North for Loan: Robert Wagner Joins Holstein Kiel Ahead of the 2025/26 Season
Hamburg's start to the year was less than ideal for defender Robert Wagner, who has now opted for a change of scenery approximately 100 kilometers north. The 21-year-old, formerly with SC Freiburg, has been loaned out to relegated Holstein Kiel for the upcoming season.
Wagner's arrival at St. Pauli last summer was highly anticipated, having been secured as a top target by Fabian Hürzeler. However, Hürzeler's departure for Brighton & Hove Albion just days after the deal was finalized proved less than ideal for Wagner, who struggled to find form alongside the squad following the coaching change. A muscle injury sustained in a test match against Eintracht Braunschweig did not aid his recovery.
Wagner managed only 403 Bundesliga minutes over a dozen matches for St. Pauli, falling short of expectations for both the young player, SC Freiburg, and FC St. Pauli. It quickly became evident that the loan would not be extended. Initially, Freiburg had hoped Wagner would compete in their squad for the new season, but this is no longer an option.
Holstein Kiel is the next destination for Wagner, marking his third consecutive loan spell. The 2. Bundesliga club will benefits from Wagner's addition, as he seeks more playing time in the second tier to further develop his skills. "I am attracted to the way football is played at Holstein," Wagner was quoted saying. "The team's playstyle and the sporting management's perspective for the new season have convinced me that this move to Kiel is right for me and my football development."
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This loan move comes at a strategic time, granting Wagner more playing time at a competitive level while providing Holstein Kiel with reinforcements for their 2. Bundesliga campaign. The loan arrangement suggests SC Freiburg sees potential in Wagner but wants to provide him with regular first-team football elsewhere. Holstein Kiel offers him that opportunity, and the move may also relate to tactical fit or squad balance at SC Freiburg as they adjust their roster for the new season.
Wagner's move to Holstein Kiel signifies a shift towards a new challenge in European football leagues, particularly the 2. Bundesliga. His decision to join the club marks his third loan spell, as he aims to increase his playing time and further develop his skills in sports like football.
