St. Louis City sign German M Marcel Hartel

Field Level Media|published: Tue 2nd July, 10:52 2024

Jun 29, 2024; Kansas City, Kansas, USA; A general view of the game ball before the start of the match between Sporting Kansas City and Austin FC at Children's Mercy Park. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports

St. Louis City announced the signing of German midfielder Marcel Hartel on Tuesday.

The former FC St. Pauli star arrives on a free transfer through June 2028, with a club option for the rest of the 2028 MLS season.

St. Louis acquired his discovery rights from the Columbus Crew for $350,000 in 2024 general allocation money and he will occupy designated player and international slots on the roster.

Coming soon to the North End ????

STL, meet your new German midfielder Marcel Hartel! #AllForCITY pic.twitter.com/P87HHf6YWR
— St Louis CITY SC (@stlCITYsc) July 2, 2024

"We are happy to have locked this deal down to bring in a high caliber midfielder such as Marcel to St. Louis," said sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel. "His ability to create and finish will give us a dual threat to help lift our attack."

Hartel tallied 17 goals and 13 assists in 2023-24 to help FC St. Pauli earn a promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time since 2010-11.

He tallied 28 goals and 31 assists in three seasons at FC St. Pauli. He previously played for the German clubs Arminia Bielefield, Union Berlin and 1. FC Koln.

Hartel, 28, will be available for St. Louis when the MLS summer transfer window opens on July 18.

--Field Level Media