St. Pauli sign Aussie duo to contract extensions

After confirming a contract extension for 21-times-capped Australian international Connor Metcalfe earlier this week, newly promoted Bundesliga side FC St. Pauli have also tied the Australian national team captain Jackson Irvine down to a new deal. Irvine also dons the armband for the Kizekicker. The 31-year-old has served as the team's skipper since 2022. 

As was the case with Metcalfe, terms of the new deal were not disclosed. Irvine has scored 15 goals and contributed 15 assists in 97 competitive appearances for the Hamburg-based club. Metcalfe has netted six goals and registered seven assists in 65 competitive appearances for "die Piraten" since coming on board in the same year Irvine was named co-captain. 

“With his flexibility and versatility, Connor was already an important component of our success last season," sporting director Andreas Bornemann noted in a statement, "But we also see further potential in him, especially as he hasn't yet played permanently in a position that might be ideal for him. He has developed very well with us so far and we are looking forward to taking the next steps with him.”

“I'm delighted that we were able to reach an agreement with Jackson at an early stage to continue working together," Bornemann said of the captain, "He is a central part of the axis around which the team is built; continuity in these key positions is of great importance to us. Jackson's qualities as a leader and top performer should be well known by now. He also identifies incredibly strongly with the club and embodies its values in a unique way.”

“When I first extended my contract two years ago, I already said that I felt incredibly comfortable in Hamburg and at FC St. Pauli," Irvine remarked in his own statement, "That hasn't changed and that's why I also see my future here. I would like to thank everyone who has supported the team and me during this time. We have already achieved a lot together, but in this new and exciting phase of this journey, I am ready to give even more.”

"After a good two years in Hamburg and at FC St. Pauli, I can say that I feel at home here," Metcalfe added, "But above all, I'm in exactly the right place from a sporting point of view. We have a great team in which I can develop very well, and we have an extremely exciting task ahead of us with the Bundesliga season. That's why it was clear to me that I wanted to be part of this group and this club in the coming years.”