There has probably never been a transfer announcement like this before. Fans apparently photographed a laptop and caused a scandal surrounding the now confirmed transfer of striker Kaars.
Accompanied by a curious incident, striker Martijn Kaars is transferring from 1. FC Magdeburg to Bundesliga club FC St. Pauli.
Both clubs announced the transfer as complete in the evening, but agreed not to disclose the transfer details. The transfer had apparently been made public earlier due to a secretly photographed email. The club from Saxony-Anhalt complained about unfair practices in a statement on the club’s website. According to FCM, the email was sent to sporting director Otmar Schork.
“1. FC Magdeburg is deeply outraged by this,” the second division club said. It explained that the photo had been taken “without consent and from outside through a window.” The window had been darkened by a blind that was almost completely lowered. The image was then distributed.
“We seriously question the extent to which sensationalism has now taken hold. It is clear that people are deliberately willing to violate personal rights in order to gain short-term attention. We strongly criticize this development,” wrote the Magdeburg club, which has also filed a complaint with the police.
As reported by the “Hamburger Abendblatt,” Schork apparently opened a laptop on the sidelines of his U23 team’s regional league match against BFC Dynamo (4:3). Several FCM fans photographed it without permission, thus making public a possible offer from the Kiez club for Dutch striker Kaars. FC St. Pauli, who play city rivals Hamburger SV on Friday (8:30 p.m./Sky), declined to comment when asked by dpa. The 26-year-old Kaars scored 19 goals and set up six more for Magdeburg last season. “Dangerous in front of goal, strong in defense and pressing – this combination fits perfectly with our playing style,” said St. Pauli coach Alexander Blessin, praising the new signing.Martijn Kaars: “After a successful and very enjoyable time in Magdeburg, I want to take on the next challenge: the Bundesliga with FC St. Pauli. The talks with the club officials have convinced me that St. Pauli’s intense style of play and my qualities are a very good fit. I want to prove myself in the Bundesliga and help my new team as soon as possible.”