St. Pauli set to acquire Japanese centre-back Tomoya Ando (26) and possibly offload Eric Smith | OneFootball

Japan’s Sponichi reports that Bundesliga outfit FC St. Pauli are close to sealing a deal for centre-back Tomoya Ando. The thrice-capped Samurai international appears headed to Hamburg on a €1m transfer from Japanese first division club Avispa Fukuoka. It will be the 26-year-old’s first foray abroad after several seasons spent working his way up the Japanese footballing tiers and onto the Japanese national team. 

The transfer counts as quite the coup for Hamburg’s Kiezkicker, who have vastly improved their midfield this season thanks to the summer addition of Ando’s countryman Joel Chima Fujita. St. Pauli were able to finally win their third Bundesliga match of the season (and first since September) thanks in large part to Fujita’s two assists. 

Kicker not only confirms the Sponichi rumors, but also claims that St. Pauli may be preparing to part company with Swedish centre-back Eric Smith in the coming January transfer window. The 28-year-old scored the dramatic late equalizer in St. Pauli’s opening day 3-3 draw with Borussia Dortmund and was once considered indispensable.

Ando’s arrival may nevertheless leave Smith’s Bundesliga club ready to cash in on their long-time player. Smith maintains an estimated market value of €6m and has been linked with a move to Leicester City. It is not known how long Smith’s current contract with St. Pauli runs. 

GGFN | Peter Weis