“Jakub fits in with our strategy of attracting talented young players with bags of potential to St. Pauli and then bringing them on for the first team. He will therefore train with the Under-23s until the international break and then move up to the senior squad,” said director of sport Uwe Stöver.

Head coach Markus Kauczinski is looking forward to working with the new recruit. “Jakub is full of running, a quality player who can be used on either flank, both in defence in attack. He’s been educated very well at Bayer Leverkusen and we aim to ease him into the senior squad and the second division step by step.”

Bednarczyk said he was delighted to be joining the club: “l’m really looking forward to the new challenge at St. Pauli. As a young full-back, I want to develop as a player, of course, and get some match practice.”

The five-time Poland Under-20 international made one Europa League appearance for Bayer Leverkusen this season.

Photos: Witters