New York City FC loaned homegrown midfielder James Sands to the German Bundesliga facet FC St. Pauli.
The mortgage introduced Wednesday runs by June 30, however will be prolonged by 2025-26 if sure situations are met.
NYCFC beforehand loaned Sands to Rangers FC of the Scottish Premiership for 41 matches from 2022-23.
“We are actually happy for James that he has earned this chance to play for a incredible membership within the Bundesliga,” sporting director David Lee mentioned.
“When James returned from his mortgage at Rangers in 2023, he was all the time clear that sooner or later he wished the chance to return to Europe and we agreed that we’d be supportive of these ambitions on the proper time. This is an unimaginable alternative for James to play in one of many top-five European leagues.”
Sands, 24, has appeared in 120 MLS matches (116 begins) for NYCFC since 2017, posting one purpose and 6 assists. He was an All-Star in 2021 and a starter for New York City’s MLS Cup championship squad that season.
“After two years in New York, I really feel prefer it’s the proper time to make a transfer again to Europe, and really a lot trying ahead to testing myself and experiencing a brand new league,” mentioned Sands, who’s signed with NYCFC by 2028. “I want my teammates and the membership all one of the best of luck within the upcoming season.”
St. Pauli earned promotion to the Bundesliga by profitable the German second-division title final season. The workforce is in 14th place within the 18-team league.
“James Sands affords an thrilling mixture of athleticism and footballing skill,” St. Pauli director of sport Andreas Bornemann mentioned. “Another optimistic facet is that he will be deployed each in central holding midfield and central protection.”
Information from Reuters and The Associated Press was used on this story.
