According to a report from Sponichi, Bundesliga side FC St. Pauli is nearing a transfer agreement for centre-back Tomoya Ando. The 26-year-old Samurai international, who has represented Japan three times, is expected to move to Hamburg for €1 million from Avispa Fukuoka in Japan’s top division. This will mark Ando’s first experience playing abroad after progressing through the ranks of Japanese football and becoming part of the national team.
This transfer is seen as a significant gain for St. Pauli, also known as the Kiezkicker, especially after the successful acquisition of Ando’s fellow countryman Joel Chima Fujita, who has greatly enhanced their midfield this season. St. Pauli recently secured their third Bundesliga victory of the season, their first since September, with Fujita playing a crucial role by providing two assists.
Kicker corroborates Sponichi’s report, suggesting that St. Pauli might also be considering offloading Swedish centre-back Eric Smith in the upcoming January transfer window. The 28-year-old defender, who famously scored a last-minute equalizer in St. Pauli’s thrilling 3-3 draw against Borussia Dortmund on opening day, was once viewed as a key player for the team.
Ando’s addition could pave the way for St. Pauli to monetize Smith, who has an estimated market value of €6 million and has even been linked with a potential move to Leicester City. Details regarding the length of Smith’s current contract with St. Pauli remain unclear.