The 18-year-old teenage defender of Ghanaian parentage has been drafted into the Reserve side of the Neighbourhood ahead of the start of the new campaign
Relegated Bundesliga club FC St. Pauli have promoted German-born Ghanaian teen Joel Addo from the U19 setup to the U23 team for the 2026/27 football season, the club have announced.
The budding centre-back has elevated himself as a top performer among his peers at the youth level and has now been slated for the St. Pauli ll side when the new German Regionlalliga Nord (fourth-tier) kicks off on July 24, 2026.
A portion of a statement over the promotion of the Ghana-prospect rising star and his three other team-mates from the U19 setup to the FC St. Pauli ll team read: ''Four talented players from our youth academy – Joel Addo, Mats Herrmann, Jack Wardius, and Noah Palapies – will be promoted to the first team next season. The quartet already gained experience in the Regionalliga (fourth division) this season.
''Defender Joel Addo (with FCSP since 2022) made four appearances for our U23 team in the first half of the season, and has also played 23 competitive matches for our youth academy this season. Midfielder Mats Herrmann (with FCSP since 2021) has recently been called up to the U23 squad several times, making three appearances. He has played 24 competitive matches (2 assists) for our youth academy this season.''
Sporting Director of the U23 team Carsten Rothenbach has told his club's official website: ''It was clear to us that moving up to the Oberliga would also mean a fresh start in terms of personnel. We want to build a hungry, developing team and give as many talented players from the youth academy as possible the opportunity to make the jump to the senior level. To play a good role in the Oberliga, a mix of carefree attitude and experience will be crucial. That's why we deliberately decided to also sign players who already have experience in the Regionalliga.”
Addo featured in 27 appearances for the St. Pauli U19 across all competitions in this just concluded 2025/26 football season.
Given his Ghanaian heritage, the 18-year-old sensational defender could become a future cornerstone for the Ghana national football team at the senior level on the international stage.
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