Newcomer Mathias Pereira: FC St. Pauli feels like a family!

Newcomer Mathias Pereira: FC St. Pauli feels like a family!

St Pauli, Deutschland - On July 17, 2025, it is official: Mathias Pereira Lage, the new new addition of FC St. Pauli, spoke out in his first impressions as part of a press round. The 23-year-old midfielder from France has now accepted the challenge of playing in the Bundesliga, and a clear mission: he wants to improve his football skills and the German language in Germany.

Pereira situation has already settled in well. "The team is really nice," he reports and emphasizes that the team climate makes it easier for him to arrive. An additional advantage is the possibility of speaking French, which makes the flow of communication easier. When asked about his first training impressions, he replies that the week was intense and his legs now feel better. "There are many processes that I have to memorize. The new playing style offers many rooms offensive," explains the player, making a comparison to a former teammate, Morgan Guilavogui, whose way of playing has inspired him.

an exciting project in Hamburg

Pereira Lage sees FC St. Pauli as an exciting project and describes the club as a "family". The move to the Hamburgers was a goal that he has now reached. He particularly emphasizes that the situation at FC St. Pauli is similar to his previous club Stade Brest, both complaints about a low budget. "You are dealing with similar challenges here, but the will to achieve something is amazing," says the Frenchman.

An important conversation before his change was conducted with coach Alexander Blessin. This was impressed by the team quality and made it clear to him that every game, even against smaller clubs, is important. Blessin, who has been head coach since summer 2024, has a moving football career with stations as a player and coach, including RB Leipzig, KV Ostend and Royal Union Saint-Gilloise.

The way to integration

In the Bundesliga, a lot has changed in recent decades, especially since the introduction of professionalism in 1963. According to bpb.de The number of foreign players in the German league has increased steadily over the years. Only five foreigners from four nations were active when the league was founded, but over 50 percent of professionals are now from abroad. The Bundesliga has thus developed into an integrative platform on which players can build a career for various backgrounds.

Pereira situation itself is part of this development. While he does everything he can to find his way around the new environment, learning the German language is a central point for him. "It helps me in everyday life and integrates me better," says the midfielder, who has already become familiar with a small voice treasure. In addition to his sporting career, he maintains an interesting passion: a jerseys that include jerseys from Rodrygo and Vitinha. Based on his personal luck, he carries the number 28, which reminds him of his older brother's birthday.

A player who starts the new season with clear goals and a positive basic attitude - this is Mathias Pereira Lage. The Hamburg audience can look forward to exciting games and a success story! As Pereira Lage itself says, the incoming internalization of the new style of play will be essential for this path. On his first days at FC St. Pauli, promising potential seems to be distinguished.