Tomas Ostrak joins St. Louis City SC - Negotiations ongoing with Joakim Nilsson
This article originally appeared on Feb. 28 and has been updated after Ostrak was introduced by St. Louis City SC.
Major League Soccer expansion side St. Louis City SC have signed Tomas Ostrak from Bundesliga side 1.FC Köln. Transfermarkt was first to report this deal. The Czech youth international is a free agent this upcoming summer and arrives on a free transfer. One source close to the Bundesliga club has told Transfermarkt that Köln fought hard to keep the midfielder but that he wanted a move to MLS. The club made the transfer official on Tuesdy.
Ostrak has been in high demand with several Bundesliga clubs wanting to sign the 22-year-old attacking midfielder. Although Ostrak primarily played for Köln's second team this season, the midfielder did manage four appearances in the Bundesliga and one game in the DFB Pokal this season (no goals and one assist). Ostrak has also managed 24 appearances (two goals) for various Czech youth national teams.
“Tomas has the talent and characteristics despite his young age to be an important figure in our team,” St. Louis City SC sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel said in a club statement. “He’s a creative player, with incredible technical ability, but most importantly he knows our playing style. His ability to create chances and his work ethic off the ball will add another dynamic to our team and make him a significant threat in our attack."
St. Louis City in negotiations with Arminia Bielefeld's Nilsson
Ostrak will be the club's second external signing, the club has already signed Selmir Pidro from FK Sarajevo. St. Louis City will have a team compete in the MLS Next Pro this season.
The German magazine kicker also reported mid-February that St. Louis are interested in Arminia Bielefeld defender Joakim Nilsson. Transfermarkt can confirm that negotiations are ongoing but no final decision has been made. Nilsson also has offers from other clubs and wants to defend his status in the Swedish national team. A move to MLS is unlikely to hurt that status but playing time is key. Nilsson knows that the next move will constitute his last chance to sign a big contract.
Thiago Almada, Castellanos, Shaqiri & Co.: 28 MLS players to watch this season
- Date of birth/Age:
- Feb 5, 2000 (24)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- St. Louis CITY SC
- Contract until:
- Dec 31, 2025
- Position:
- Attacking Midfield
- Market Value:
- €1.50m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Feb 6, 1994 (30)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- St. Louis CITY SC
- Contract until:
- Dec 31, 2026
- Position:
- Centre-Back
- Market Value:
- €3.00m
- Total Market Value:
- €93.55m
- Competition:
- Bundesliga
- Position:
- 17.
- Manager:
- Timo Schultz
- Squad size:
- 29
- Latest Transfer:
- Justin Diehl
- Total Market Value:
- €35.64m
- Competition:
- Major League Soccer
- Manager:
- Bradley Carnell
- Squad size:
- 26
- Latest Transfer:
- Nikolas Dyhr
- Total Market Value:
- €6.35m
- Competition:
- 3. Liga
- Position:
- 15.
- Manager:
- Michél Kniat
- Squad size:
- 26
- Latest Transfer:
- Mael Corboz
