St. Pauli confirm departure of leading goal-scorer

Newly promoted Hamburg side FC St. Pauli will be heading into their first top flight season without their leading goal-scorer. Twenty-eight-year-old attacking midfielder Marcel Hartel has announced that he will not be renewing his expiring contract. Hartel scored 17 goals and pocketed 13 assists for the Kiezkicker in the recent promotion campaign. Hartel has a total of 30 top flight appearances to his credit during his time with 1. FC Köln and DSC Arminia Bielefeld. 

The 2. Bundesliga veteran has been linked to a move with other German top-tier clubs such as Borussia Mönchengladbach. According to St. Pauli sporting director Andreas Bornemann, however, Hartel is not contemplating a move to another German team. Bornemann told the Hamburger Morgenpost that Hartel's decision was not made based on a desire to move to a different Bundesliga side. 

"It's not easy for me to take this step," Hartel said in a club-released statement, "But sometimes special opportunities arise in life. I would like to thank the entire team, the coaches and support staff for the outstanding time at the Millerntor."

"Cello's mileage on the pitch was impressive and important for our game," head-coach Fabian Hürzeler, "He put in an outstanding performance last season. We wish him all the best for the future," said coach Fabian Hürzeler, bidding him farewell.