Connor Metcalfe signs contract extension with Bundesliga outfit St. Pauli

On the eve of his likely Bundesliga debut, a Socceroos star has secured his long-term future at his German club.

Socceroo Connor Metcalfe has signed a contract extension with his German Bundesliga club St. Pauli. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Socceroos midfielder Connor Metcalfe has further cemented his European club future by signing a contract extension with German Bundesliga outfit St. Pauli.

Metcalfe, 24, is poised to make his Bundesliga debut alongside fellow Socceroo Jackson Irvine when St. Pauli – last season’s German second division champions – start its top-flight campaign with a home match against Heidenheim on Monday morning (AEST).

The former Melbourne City star’s deal was set to expire next year; however, with St. Pauli coach Alexander Blessin wanting Metcalfe part of the Hamburg-based club’s long-term plans, his contract has been extended by an undisclosed amount of seasons.

“Connor brings with him everything required to play an even bigger role with us in the coming years,” Blessin said.

“He’s got a good football brain, is a hard tackler and is able to set up his teammates or get into dangerous positions himself.

“Those are qualities that we’re going to need both this season and beyond, so it’s great that we can now plan with him long term.”

Connor Metcalfe has extended his stay at St. Pauli. Picture: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

Metcalfe, who is set to be named in the Socceroos squad for next month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Bahrain and Indonesia, said he was in the “right place”.

“After a good two years in Hamburg and at FC St. Pauli, I can say that I feel at home here,” Metcalfe said.

“Above all, I’m in exactly the right place from a football perspective too.

“We’ve got a fantastic team, where I can develop well as a player, and with this coming season in the Bundesliga there’s an extremely exciting challenge ahead of us.

“It was therefore clear to me that I wanted to be part of this group and of this club in the coming years too.”

Meanwhile, Metcalfe’s Socceroos teammate Josh Nisbet’s move to Scottish Premiership club Ross County has been confirmed.

Nisbet, the reigning Johnny Warren medallist after his dominant 2023-24 A-League season with Central Coast Mariners, has signed a three-year deal with the Staggies.

Ross County manager Don Cowie said Nisbet was a “really exciting addition to the group”. “He had an exceptional season last season, winning both team and individual accolades which has resulted in him breaking into the Australian national team,” Cowie said.

“There has been a lot of interest in Joshua from all over the world but we are absolutely delighted that he has chosen to join the Staggies.”