FC St. Pauli loses one of its last Kiez veterans: Philipp Ziereis signed a two‑year contract with Melbourne Victory on Friday. The 33‑year‑old centre‑back leaves after nine years at the club to play in the A‑League.

Why is Ziereis taking the step to Down Under?

Ziereis said the chance to play on another continent has been appealing since last year. After his stint at Greuther Fürth, where he returned in summer 2025, he missed training sessions – a sign that talks were already underway. The transfer was confirmed at 8:35 am. In his Instagram post he thanked the "Kleeblatt" and showed the new jersey, while Jackson Irvine, his former teammate, congratulated him.

What does this mean for FC St. Pauli?

Ziereis was a regular from 2013 to 2022, making 159 appearances for the first team and often captaining. His departure leaves a gap in defence, which is already highlighted by the poor defensive record. Currently FC St. Pauli stands 18th in the Bundesliga with 26 points (6 wins, 8 draws, 20 losses) and has lost the last five games (LLLLL). The side has scored 29 goals and conceded 60 (‑31 goal difference) and is 63 points behind leaders Bayern München.

How did Ziereis' career look before the move?

After leaving Jahn Regensburg in 2013, Ziereis quickly became a starter at FC St. Pauli. In 2019 he briefly joined LASK in Austria, playing Europa‑League ties against Liverpool and netting six goals. He returned to Germany in summer 2025, helped Greuther Fürth secure survival in the relegation playoff against RW Essen, and was then ready for the A‑League.

What awaits him in Melbourne?

Melbourne Victory sits fourth after 26 matches, eight points off leaders Newcastle Jets. The season is already underway, giving Ziereis little time to settle. Still, he sees the adventure as a chance to experience a new football culture and bring his experience to a growing market. The club hopes his defensive know‑how will stabilise the back line and that young Australians will benefit from his European background.

FC St. Pauli now has to find a suitable replacement in defence while fans watch the farewell of their long‑time Kiez‑player with mixed emotions.