St. Pauli sign “explosive” Peterborough striker Ricky-Jade Jones | OneFootball

FC St. Pauli have completed their fourth summer signing. English striker Ricky-Jade Jones joins the Bundesliga club on a free transfer from League One outfit Peterborough United. The 22-year-old switches clubs for the very first time in his career after spending six seasons with the Cambridgeshire club.

St. Pauli found themselves in need of a new striker assistance following the confirmed departure of Johannes Eggestein earlier this week. The 27-year-old’s expiring contract will not be renewed following three years of service with the Kiezkicker in the German first and second divisions.

Eggestein (three Bundesliga goals last season) was let go along with midfielder Carlo Boukhalfa (two league goals last year). The lowest scoring team in the 2024/25 Bundesliga also received some bad news with respect to the squad’s leading goal-scorer.

St. Pauli – as they had planned – exercised their €3m purchase option on winger Morgan Guilavogui, who netted six league goals last year. Unfortunately, the Guinean international’s Ligue 1 parent club RC Lens countered by pulling their €4.5m buyback option.

St. Pauli are – according to Kicker – currently considering whether or not to pay an additional €1.5m for their coveted player. For now, the Hamburg-based club seeks to trump up their new signing.

“For his age, he already has a plethora of experience in professional football and has demonstrated consistent performances over several years,” St. Pauli sporting director Andreas Bornemann noted in a club statement. “He can also make his mark in the Bundesliga with his combination of pace, directness, and resilience.”

“Explosiveness and speed are clearly Ricky’s most obvious qualities,” head coach Alexander Blessin added. “But he also knows how to use his pace properly, which makes him not only dangerous in attack but also extremely useful to the team when pressing and switching to defense.”

“I felt that the time had come to take on a new challenge and I am delighted to have this opportunity at FC St. Pauli,” Jones said in his own statement. “I am looking forward to a very diverse team, enthusiastic fans and big opponents in one of the strongest leagues in the world.“

GGFN | Peter Weis