FC St. Pauli hand Smith new deal
Friday, 10. February 2023, 13:00 Uhr
FC St. Pauli have tied another player to the club on a long-term deal after director of sport Andreas Bornemann agreed terms with defensive midfielder Eric Smith on an extension to his contract, which was originally due to run until June 2024.
The 26-year-old Swede moved to the Millerntor in January 2021, initially on loan from Belgian first-division side KAA Gent. The Boys in Brown then exercised their option to sign him on a permanent deal in April 2021. Before moving to the Millerntor, Smith had loan spells at Norway outfit Tromsø IL (11 appearances) in early 2019 and Swedish top-division club IFK Norrköping (27 appearances) from May to December 2020.
Smith has made 38 second division and four DFB Cup appearances for FC St. Pauli, scoring three goals and providing four assists.
Reaction to the new deal
Director of sport Andreas Bornemann: "Eric has become an increasingly key player for us. He leads by example on the pitch and plays an important role in the dressing room, too. This is why we were especially keen to have him in our long-term plans and acknowledge his growing significance for the team by extending his contract."
Head coach Fabian Hürzeler: "Eric has huge qualities when it comes to organising the defence and our build-up play. He thus makes a significant contribution to the stability of our entire setup. As a member of the players' committee, he’s also an important point of contact for his teammates as well as my coaching team and me. I'm delighted he sees his future with us."
Eric Smith: "My wife and I feel incredibly comfortable in Hamburg and at FC St. Pauli, and the support of the fans also plays a part in this. The club has great potential and I believe there's so much we can go on to achieve. It just feels right to remain a part of that development and I'm very happy the club has placed its confidence in me."
Photos: FC St. Pauli
