FC St. Pauli has signed young centre-back Anton Lange for its U23 team. The 20-year-old defender moves from Hannover 96 to the 2. Bundesliga club, as confirmed by Kicker on Tuesday.
The signing strengthens the defensive options for FC St. Pauli II. Anton Lange gained experience playing for Hannover 96's second team. His transfer highlights the club's focus on youth development while the first team sits 16th in the 2. Bundesliga. They have taken two points from three matches, scoring four goals and conceding five.
Who is the new centre-back?
Anton Lange is a 20-year-old central defender. He is a product of the Hannover 96 youth academy and also featured for their reserve side. Kicker was the first outlet to report the completed transfer. For FC St. Pauli II, the acquisition represents a future option, adding depth to the defensive line.
The move comes as the first team finds itself seven points behind league leaders 1. FC Nürnberg. Their recent form is listed as LDD, meaning one loss and two draws from the last three fixtures. The detailed stats page reflects these numbers.
How does he fit the current picture?
Signing Anton Lange for the U23s is a move to bolster the overall squad depth. The second team often acts as a stepping stone for talents. FC St. Pauli is investing in long-term development with this signing. Meanwhile, the first team prepares for its next challenge.
On 4 September 2026, the professionals travel to face Arminia Bielefeld. The opponent is currently tenth in the table. All upcoming matches are listed on our fixtures page. A look at the standings illustrates the tight situation in the middle of the 2. Bundesliga.
What does this mean for the squad?
With Anton Lange, FC St. Pauli gains a young defender for its reserves. He brings experience from another Bundesliga youth setup. Kicker's report on the matter stated simply: "Bestätigt" (Confirmed). No further details regarding contract length or a transfer fee were provided.
The first team has scored four goals and conceded five so far this season, resulting in a negative goal difference of minus one. Defence remains an area of focus, even though Lange will initially feature for the U23s. The full squad list shows all current players.
The next competitive match for the professionals is the away fixture at Arminia Bielefeld on 4 September.
