St. Pauli Signs Dimitar Mitov as New Goalkeeper After Vasilj Exit

St. Pauli have moved quickly to secure a new number one, confirming on Thursday morning the signing of Aberdeen goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov.

The Bulgarian arrives from the Scottish Premiership side for a reported fee of €400,000, according to Transfermarkt, and is being lined up as the man to anchor St. Pauli’s rebuild in the 2. Bundesliga.

From Vasilj’s departure to a new leader in goal

Relegation triggered change. Once St. Pauli dropped out of the Bundesliga, long-serving keeper Nikola Vasilj chose a fresh start, joining Saudi Pro League newcomers Al-Diriyah instead of extending his expiring deal in Hamburg.

That decision left a void. Ben Voll started the opening match of the new 2. Bundesliga campaign, a draw against Greuther Fürth, but it always felt like a stopgap. With Mitov’s arrival, the hierarchy is clear: the 29-year-old Bulgarian is expected to move straight to the front of the queue ahead of the former Köln keeper.

Kicker report that Mitov has signed a three-year contract, underlining St. Pauli’s intention to build around him rather than treat him as a short-term fix.

Aberdeen hero arrives with silverware and scars

Mitov does not come quietly. He lands in Hamburg off the back of a remarkable spell at Aberdeen, where he was first-choice goalkeeper in each of his two seasons.

His first campaign in Scotland was interrupted by a hamstring injury that sidelined him for months, but he still returned in time to help drive a sensational 2024/25 season. Aberdeen opened the Premiership with 12 wins and a draw, a blistering start that set the tone for a year to remember.

The highlight came at Hampden Park. Aberdeen lifted their first Scottish Cup since 1990, with Mitov the decisive figure in the final against Celtic, saving two penalties and writing his name into club folklore. Across that final season, he racked up 42 appearances, a workload that speaks to both trust and durability once fully fit.

Rapp gets his man

St. Pauli coach Marcel Rapp made no attempt to hide his enthusiasm for the club’s new last line of defence.

“Dimitar has very good qualities on the line and can solve even difficult situations due to his dynamism and explosiveness. At the same time, he actively defends the space and conveys a lot of peace and security. We look forward to working with him and integrating him into our processes,” Rapp said, outlining exactly why the club moved for the 15-time Bulgarian international.

It is a profile that fits the way St. Pauli want to play: aggressive, front-foot, with a goalkeeper who does not just wait on his line but commands the area and calms the back four.

Mitov’s mission in Hamburg

Mitov, who previously played for Cambridge United and St. Johnstone FC before his move to Aberdeen, sounded eager to embrace the challenge of German football and a new promotion fight.

“I am very much looking forward to FC St. Pauli and the new league. The discussions with those responsible convinced me of a cooperation. I want to quickly integrate with the team, contribute my experience, and be successful together with the entire team to achieve the goals of the club,” he said in his first interview as a St. Pauli player.

A club reshaping itself after relegation, a goalkeeper arriving at his peak years with a cup final on his résumé, and a fanbase that demands bold football: the stage is set. Now it’s on Mitov to turn that faith into clean sheets and, St. Pauli hope, a route straight back to the top flight.