New York City FC loaned homegrown midfielder James Sands to the German Bundesliga side FC St. Pauli. The loan announced Wednesday runs through June 30, but can be extended through 2025-26 if certain conditions are met.

New York City FC midfielder James Sands has joined Bundesliga side FC St. Pauli on loan through the end of the 2024-25 season. The German club will have an option to extend the loan through the 2025-26 season based on certain conditions being met. Sands, 24, has also signed a contract extension with NYCFC through the end of 2028.

The defensive midfielder deserved to be named the Defensive Player of the Year for NYCFC. Since Freese was the MVP, it made sense that Sands should be the choice. Thiago Martins could have also been considered, but since Freese had to step up too many times for failures in the backline, Sands was ultimately the correct decision.

United States midfielder James Sands has joined Bundesliga team St. Pauli on a six-month loan from New York City FC. The teams announced the move Wednesday.

German Bundesliga side St Pauli have signed defender James Sands on loan from New York City FC until the end of the 2024-25 season. Sands, 24, has made 13 senior appearances for the USMNT and has previous experience in European football,