Have St. Pauli done enough this winter to survive in the Bundesliga?

St. Pauli have signed James Sands, Noah Weißhaupt and Abdoulie Ceesay this winter. All three are unconventional signings but St. Pauli hope that they are enough to keep the club in the Bundesliga.

It has been a busy start to the winter transfer window for promoted St. Pauli. The Hamburg side added American midfielder James Sands from New York City FC, winger Noah Weißhaupt from SC Freiburg (both on loan) and signed Gambian forward Abdoulie Ceesay from Estonian side Paide Linnameeskonds in a deal worth €450,000.

While Sands' arrival from Major League Soccer excited the US soccer community, the signing of the 24-year-old defensive midfielder alongside a talent from Freiburg and a relatively unknown striker from Estonia didn’t produce major headlines in Germany. But St. Pauli head coach Alexander Blessin hopes each player will individually address shortcomings that could guarantee the club’s survival in the Bundesliga.

On paper, St. Pauli are already in a decent position. Ahead of the winter break, St. Pauli beat VfB Stuttgart on the road increasing the gap to Heidenheim, who occupy the relegation playoff spot, to four points.