Goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj (30), son of former Croatian international Vladimir Vasilj and player for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team, has announced his departure from St. Pauli following the club's relegation from the Bundesliga. After St. Pauli's 3-1 loss to Wolfsburg in the final round, which relegated the Hamburg club from the top league, Vasilj stated that he had played his last match for the German side.

Emotions were palpable as Vasilj did not hide how difficult it was for him to part ways after five years in Hamburg: "This was my last game for St. Pauli. It's hard to say. In football, that's sometimes the way it is. You have to keep going. In the past few weeks, my focus was on keeping St. Pauli in the league. Now, the first thing that awaits me is the World Cup."

Tragic Final Round

Vasilj had a tragic role in St. Pauli's relegation. In the final round against direct rival Wolfsburg, only a victory would have kept his club in the Bundesliga. When St. Pauli equalized at 1-1 in the 57th minute, they pushed for a second goal but conceded in the 64th minute.

Following a corner kick, Vasilj's clearance hit the post and went into his own net. The referee reviewed the play on the monitor but decided no foul had occurred on the goalkeeper, and the goal stood. Ten minutes before the end, Wolfsburg scored another goal, winning 3-1 and securing their own survival, while St. Pauli was relegated to the second division.

Leaves St. Pauli After Five Years

Vasilj joined St. Pauli in 2021 from Ukrainian side Zorya, and he amassed 167 appearances for the German club, 67 of which were in the Bundesliga, where he conceded 99 goals and kept 14 clean sheets. He achieved his biggest success two years ago when St. Pauli won promotion to the Bundesliga. Transfermarkt values him at 4.5 million euros. He is the first goalkeeper to represent the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team, which qualified for the World Cup. For his national team, he has made 25 appearances.