FC St. Pauli

Treu completed his Millerntor switch after two seasons in the third division with SC Freiburg II. Director of sport Andreas Bornemann spoke of the full-back’s “huge potential” and was proved right. After five brief runouts, Treu made his first second-division start in the 5-1 drubbing of Holstein Kiel in September 2023. Another four substitute appearances followed, the last of which, a 2-1 home defeat of Karlsruhe, was a special one, as the left-sided defender won the game for his side with a piledriver into the top-right corner in time added on. 

That win over KSC was the last time Treu began on the bench. From then on, he was an ever-present in the starting lineup unless ruled out by injury. His season was brought to a premature end in April 2024, however, when he fractured his fibula. The hardworking full-back completed an intensive rehab programme during the summer break that saw him resume full training in pre-season. And after performing well for Freiburg II in the third tier and the Boys in Brown in the second, Treu impressed again in the top flight, helping his team avoid the drop with a string of good performances. Treu missed just one game and stood out with his intensive style of play, which put him near the top of the league rankings for distance covered.

Now, after two years at the Millerntor, Treu has opted to return his former stomping ground. The 24-year-old had said it was his dream “to play in Europe sometime” in an interview with a Hamburg daily before the home game against SC Freiburg. That dream now looks set to come true very soon, as the Black Forest outfit have qualified for this season’s Europa League.

Thanks for everything, Philipp, and all the very best for the future!

Photos: FC St. Pauli/Witters