Connor Metcalfe to join fellow Socceroo at St Pauli

There will be two Socceroos representing FC St Pauli next season, following the news that Connor Metcalfe is set to head to Germany in an exciting overseas transfer.

While the details of the deal between the famous German club and reigning A-League Men's champions Melbourne City remain undisclosed, the 22-year-old will play out the remainder of the campaign down under before making the move to Europe.

There he will be greeted by a familiar face in Jackson Irvine, who is in the midst of his first season with the club. After a slow start due to injury, Irvine has established himself as a key part of St Pauli's promotion push this campaign. 

Heading into March, the Socceroos midfielder has made 14 matches in all competitions for the club that currently sit top of the Bundesliga 2. and are positioned nicely in the Quarter Finals of the DFB Pokal after toppling heavyweights Borussia Dortmund in a memorable Cup boilover. 

Irvine and St. Pauli's form means that there is a real possibility Metcalfe could join the club as they prepare for a first season in the German top flight since 2011. 

READ MORE: How Jackson Irvine is fuelling 'intense' St Pauli promotion push

Jackson Irvine
Connor Metcalfe will join Jackson Irvine in Germany next season

Metcalfe's impressive transfer comes off the back of a strong few years at club level, with his dominant play in midfield earning him a first senior international cap in June 2020. 

A month later, the South Cardiff FC junior started all three games for the Olyroos at Tokyo 2020, playing his part in Australia's memorable win over Argentina at the Games. 

He was a member of Australia's most recent squad for their FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Vietnam and Oman. 

Speaking about the move, St. Pauli Director of sport Andreas Bornemann said: "We're delighted to have taken the first step in our squad planning for next season at this early stage. In Connor Metcalfe, we've acquired a young player who has already gained match practice at a high level and still has plenty of potential to develop."

While head coach Timo Schultz is already relishing the prospect of an all-Australian link-up in the centre of the park. 

 "Connor Metcalfe can occupy various positions in central midfield and will give us more options and flexibility from next season," he said.

He's still young and we'll have to allow him a little time to acclimatise after his move. The fact that he'll be hooking up with a teammate from the national team in Jackson Irvine is sure to help him settle in."

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