After spending his entire career in France, Mathias Pereira Lage decided this summer to move to Germany, where he hopes to establish himself as a winger.
At 28 years old, after spending his entire professional career in France, Mathias Pereira Lage decided the time had come for change.
For the first time, the Portuguese winger is stepping outside of his comfort zone and embracing a new chapter abroad, signing with Bundesliga side FC St. Pauli. This move represents not only a professional shift but also a personal one, as the player transitions into a different culture, a new league, and a club known not just for football but also for its strong social and political identity.
The decision to leave French football had been on his mind for some time, but it was this summer that everything fell into place. With few offers on the table, interest from St. Pauli emerged, and Pereira Lage didn’t hesitate to accept what he saw as a timely and exciting opportunity. After speaking with the manager and the sporting director, he felt confident in the project. Playing abroad had always been a goal, and joining one of Europe’s top five leagues only made the decision easier. For him, the Bundesliga is the most attractive destination its open play, fast tempo, and abundance of attacking opportunities make it a dream for someone with his style of play.
In recent years in France, particularly at Brest, Pereira Lage became known for his versatility. He was used in just about every position right-back, left-back, winger on both flanks, even as a striker. While that adaptability made him a useful squad member, it also came with drawbacks. The lack of a consistent role prevented him from fully settling into a specific position and maximizing his potential. That frustration ultimately contributed to his decision to move on. In Germany, under St. Pauli’s system which features three central defenders, two midfielders, two wing-backs, and three forwards he now hopes to solidify his place as a left winger, the role he feels most comfortable in and where he believes he can offer the most.
Although St. Pauli is famous for its progressive social and political values an identity that sets the club apart in the football world Pereira Lage insists that those aspects weren’t the driving force behind his decision to sign. He did research the club before committing but says his main focus is always on the pitch. That said, he acknowledges the importance of representing a club like St. Pauli responsibly, both as a player and as a person. He’s confident that everything will go smoothly off the field, joking that he was “raised well” and is “a calm, respectful person.”
When it comes to ambitions for the season, Pereira Lage is realistic. After gaining promotion to the Bundesliga, St. Pauli’s primary goal is survival. He compares it to his time at Brest, where the team narrowly avoided relegation in his first year, then went on to finish third the following season. It’s proof, he says, that with hard work and consistency, anything is possible. First, secure top-flight safety then see where the journey can lead.
One particularly unique detail about this transfer is that Pereira Lage becomes the first Portuguese player in the history of FC St. Pauli. It’s a fact he wasn’t aware of until he was told, and he greeted the news with his usual good humour. He’s already had some interaction with the Portuguese community in Hamburg, which he says is quite active, including many local restaurants. But as soon as he speaks, people immediately recognize he was born in France, he says with a laugh.
With this move, Pereira Lage begins a new chapter full of ambition, maturity, and determination. He arrives in Germany not just as another signing, but as a seasoned professional eager to finally establish himself in his natural position and make a lasting impact. For St. Pauli, it’s a significant addition a player with experience, tactical intelligence, and a hunger for stability. And for the Bundesliga, it’s one more exciting attacking talent ready to test himself in one of Europe’s most competitive and dynamic leagues.
