St. Pauli Secures Japanese Striker Taichi Hara on Free Transfer

St. Pauli has officially confirmed the acquisition of Japanese striker Taichi Hara, who joins the club on a free transfer from J-League side Kyoto Sanga. The specifics of the contract for the 26-year-old, who has been capped twice for Japan, have not been disclosed.

Andreas Bornemann, the sporting director of FC St. Pauli, remarked, “With his skill set, Taichi represents a type of player we have not previously had in our squad. He can function as a traditional target player, yet also possesses the technical abilities required for combination play. This versatility will add significant flexibility to our game. We are optimistic that his prior experience in Europe will facilitate a quick adaptation to our system.”

Head coach Alexander Blessin also praised Hara, stating, “At his previous clubs, Taichi has demonstrated his capability to pose a threat in front of goal while also displaying a keen awareness of his teammates. He is well-versed in football and, due to his height, contributes effectively to both offensive and defensive set pieces. Additionally, he is highly team-oriented and does not hesitate to engage in hard work during defensive phases.”

Hara himself expressed enthusiasm about the move, saying, “I had fruitful discussions with the club officials, and I am convinced that I can contribute to the team by utilizing my strengths.”