First team
Klein: “I had lots of fun and am looking forward to more”
7/9/26
09:00 AM
The Boys in Brown began their preparations for the new season a fortnight ago and new recruit Sam Klein has been involved from day one. The Australian spoke to the media after training on Wednesday and here are the key takeaways from that conversation...
Sam Klein on…
...the first two weeks in Hamburg: “The first week was very hot, so a lot like home. It’s a beautiful city and the teammates have been very welcoming, so I’m really enjoying it. I was in a hotel at first, but I recently found an apartment and am fully moved in now, so I feel a lot more settled now.”
...the first two warm-up matches: “The atmosphere at both the games with the fans was incredible. It’s something I haven’t experienced before at a pre-season match. It was very energetic. The matches were intense, so I had lots of fun and am looking forward to more.”
...deciding to make the move to FC St. Pauli despite not knowing which league the club would play in: “I spoke to the people in St. Pauli around the end of April when my season in Australia came to an end, so it was time to think about my future. At that time it was obviously not sure whether they would be in the top division or the second division but both opportunities excited me equally. The officials painted a good picture of what it could look like for me as young player. At this stage of my career all I want to do is play football and I was told that if I work and train hard, I could play minutes and play a part.”
...moving to Europe: “I was always quite ambitious in Australia and I loved my football there, but I wanted to play in Europe and I wanted to play against the best players. That’s something I’ve always aimed to do.”
...his compatriots Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe: “I’ve never actually met them, though I’ve grown up watching Jackson playing for the national team. I’ve messaged with them a little bit since I’ve signed and I’m looking forward to meeting them when they come back. The fact that they're here was a factor in helping me make my decision, to see that there’s been a pathway of Australian players coming here and being successful, playing a lot of matches in the team and getting experience. It’s a pathway that I can follow.”
...his style of play and initial impressions of football in Germany: “I’m a box-to-box player, that’s what I love to do. I love being involved in the play a lot. I love getting forward and feel like I'm an energetic player, I like running a lot. I’m obviously trying to pick up a new style with the coach and a new system. The intensity is a lot higher, the first week was a bit of a shock to me but I’m adapting to it and now I feel like I’m getting better with each session, so I think that will come.”
...the second half of 2023 when he didn’t play for a club: “I was in youth football for a long time and I wanted to try other things, so I went to Norway. I’m half-Norwegian and I have a lot of family in Norway, so I went and spent some time there. I trained and trialled with a few teams, but I struggled a little bit with injuries at times and so I never signed anywhere. After six months I decided to go back to Australia and play there again.”
...his typical German surname: “I’m not 100 percent sure where it comes from. My name is from my father and that’s my Norwegian side, as far back as I know to my grandparents and great-grandparents it’s all in Norway. It might have German connections from what I’ve heard but not that I’m aware of.”
...the Australian national team: “I’d love to play for the Australian national team but right now I’m fully focused on St. Pauli, of course. If I play minutes and do well here, the rest will follow.”
Photos: FC St. Pauli
More from the community
