St. Pauli sign Leart Paqarada and Dennis Smarsch

FC St. Pauli announced two significant new signings on Sunday with the arrivals of Leart Paqarada and Dennis Smarsch.

The capture of former Sandhausen left-back Paqarada is particularly a coup, as he is likely to have been watched by several other 2. Bundesliga clubs. Smarsch arrives from Hertha BSC and could provide stiff competition in goal for Robin Himmelmann.

Paqarada, who was developed at Bayer Leverkusen, spent six years with Sandhausen, playing a total of 160 games. He appeared 33 times in the past season, scoring once and making five assists, with his crossing and dead ball ability likely to be a key assist.

Andreas Bornemann called the 25-year-old Kosovar international “an experienced second division player,” with coach Timo Schultz adding that he “has a strong left foot and is technically savvy.”

Paqarada added that he felt “a great deal of appreciation and trust” from the club during discussion, saying that he is now “delighted that I am part of FC St. Pauli.”

21-year-old Smarsch meanwhile came through the ranks at Hertha but only made two appearances for the first team, both of which came last season. He also received a solitary cap for Germany at both under-18 and under-19 levels.

Bornemann believes he is “a young, ambitious and talented goalkeeper,” who will strengthening the side in the long-term, whilst Schultz says that, due to his “size and positional game” he will be “the perfect counterpart” for existing goalkeepers Himmelmann and Svend Brodersen.

Smarsch says he came to St. Pauli “to take the next step” in his career. He knows he has to develop and get used to moving away from Berlin for the first team, but he is “looking forward” to getting started in Hamburg.

Following the acquisition of Daniel-Kofi Kyereh earlier in the week, the club have now made three new signings this summer, along with tying down some of their young prospects, including Jannes Wieckhoff this week.

The club also confirmed on Sunday that former Borussia Dortmund U19 goalkeeper Dominik Schönnenbeck was undergoing a trial as the team returned for pre-season training.

Image source: FC St. Pauli.