Melbourne City FC can confirm that midfielder Connor Metcalfe has signed with FC St. Pauli and will join the current German second division leaders at the end of the 2021/22 season.
An undisclosed fee has been reached between the two clubs which will also allow Connor to play out the remainder of the season and finals series as well as the AFC Champions League Group Stage games in April.
A product of the City Academy, the 22-year-old has gone from strength to strength in his young career since joining the Club in 2015 at age 15.
Metcalfe progressed through the Academy ranks after impressing with his talent and work ethic and was rewarded with his professional debut in 2018. Since then, he has gone on to make 62 appearances for City, scoring 8 goals and assisting a further 6.
Following his performances in the 2019/20 season, Metcalfe was presented with the ‘Rising Star’ award at the Melbourne City FC Player of the Year Awards ceremony.
A breakout 2020/21 season saw Metcalfe become a vital cog in a City team that would go on to claim its first A-League Men’s silverware, a Premiership and Championship double.
The recognition didn’t stop there as Metcalfe was named in the PFA’s 2020/21 Team of the Season and claimed the Harry Kewell Medal – awarded by the PFA to the best Australian player under 23.
The midfielder’s brilliant season was capped off with a call up to the national team in June 2021. Metcalfe would make his Socceroos debut in a 5-1 win over Chinese Taipei.
While Connor will be missed by the fans and the club, we are confident he will go on to achieve his goals in Europe and we know that he will be fully committed to helping our Club succeed in the League for the remainder of this season.
Melbourne City FC Director of Football Michael Petrillo said:
“Connor is a fantastic player on the pitch and is an influential person in the dressing room. He is an inspiration to our younger players who are coming through the Academy and fighting for a place in the first team.
“He has already achieved a lot in his career at City and is still only 22 years old. We completely understand his desire to test himself in the biggest leagues in Europe and he is moving to an equally ambitious club in FC St. Pauli.
“We are enormously proud of the type of players we are developing in our Academy and to have both Atkinson and now Metcalfe offered deals in Europe is recognition that we are on the right path.”
Connor Metcalfe said:
“I’ve had an incredible time at City since joining as a 15-year-old. Being part of the Club’s first A-League Men’s Premiership and Championship double winning squad last season is the proudest moment of my career.
“Our fans have always been special to me and I’m so thankful for the support they have given me and the team that has created some amazing memories and I hope we can create some more this season.
“I have grown up at City and developed as not only a footballer but also as a person. I’m thankful for all the teammates, coaches and staff that have supported me over the years.
“We still have work to do this season and I’ll be doing my absolute best to help the team achieve its goals.”
