FC St. Pauli sign centre-back Karol Mets
Thursday, 05. January 2023, 09:30 Uhr
FC St. Pauli have strengthened their squad with the addition of defender Karol Mets. The Estonia international moves to the Millerntor from reigning Swiss champions FC Zurich.
Mets, 29, has made 13 Swiss Super League appearances for FC Zürich this season, plus three outings each in the Europa League qualifiers and the Europa League group stage. The centre-back had spells in Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway and Estonia before moving to Switzerland.
Mets was a member of the FC Zürich side that won the Swiss league title last season. In Estonia, he picked up league, cup and Super Cup (twice) winner's medals with FC Flora. The latest St. Pauli recruit can also look back on a long international career: Mets represented Estonia at youth level and has since made 84 appearances for the Baltic state's men's national team.
Mets moves to the Millerntor on loan until the end of the season and FC St. Pauli have an option to buy.
Reaction to the deal
Director of sport Andreas Bornemann: "After injuries to key defensive players, we needed cover in central defence. In signing Karol, we aim to give our defence even more stability."
Head coach Fabian Hürzeler: "Karol has lots of experience and exudes calm, which will do the team good. He brings physical and footballing ability that fits our style of play and will make us better."
Karol Mets: "FC St. Pauli are a great opportunity for me to now play in Germany. The club is known across the world and I'm really looking forward to the first game at the Millerntor. The talks with the St. Pauli officials quickly won me over in football terms, too."
Photos: FC St. Pauli
