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James Sands returns to NYCFC from St.
Pauli loan Homegrown midfielder James Sands has returned to NYCFC after a year-and-a-half loan with German club St.
Pauli, the team announced Thursday.
Homegrown midfielder James Sands has returned to NYCFC after a year-and-a-half loan with German club St.
Pauli, the team announced Thursday.
With it comes a contract extension to stay with New York, which will run through the 2029-30 season with an option for 2030-31.
We couldnt be more excited to welcome James back to New York City, sporting director Todd Dunivant said.
James has been an important part of this Clubs history, has proven himself in this league, and now brings top European experience.
As we continue to build our core roster, James will be a vital member of our group moving forward.
appearances and was also named the clubs defensive MVP in 2024.The 25-year-0ld was on the cusp of the US national team before his loan to St.
Pauli before he suffered a complex right ankle injury involving a fractured fibula and torn MCL after just seven matches.
What was initially supposed to be a six-month loan was extended through the end of the 2025-26 season.
In total, he made 35 appearances across all competitions, recording a goal and an assist.He started all of St.
Paulis matches during their run to the quarterfinals of the German Cup Im really excited to be back with the Club, Sands said.New York City FC has been an important part of my career at every stage.
Whether that was developing as a young player in the academy, becoming a Homegrown, establishing myself in the first team, and even giving me these opportunities to develop in Europe, New York City has been with me every step of the way.
Now its my turn to give the best years of my career back to the Club.From day one, Ive had a great connection with the fans, and Im looking forward to keeping that going.
Joe Pantorno has been the executive sports editor of amNewYork since 2020.
He covers the New York Mets and is a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America .
He is also a member of the Pro Hockey Writers Association and has covered the New York Islanders for nearly a decade.His previous stops include Bleacher Report and Metro New York, while his work has been featured in the New York Post, Newsday, and Yahoo!Sports.2026 WORLD CUP: The great race between Messi, Mbappe, Kane, Haaland is onKNICKS PARADE: Over 1 million flock to Canyon of Heroes, City Hall to celebrate NBA champs Legal Aid files brief supporting New York law to bar feds from making courthouse arrests of immigrants Thousands of 1199SEIU health care workers flood Foley Square, saying they cant afford the city they care for amid contract fightEXCLUSIVE: 63-block stretch of Manhattans 6th Avenue will get a busway under DOT proposal2026 WORLD CUP: The great race between Messi, Mbappe, Kane, Haaland is onKNICKS PARADE: Over 1 million flock to Canyon of Heroes, City Hall to celebrate NBA champsHouse of GOAL to bring two-week soccer festival to Brooklyns Industry City during FIFA World Cup.