St. Louis City signs Jannes Horn and promises a revolution in defense

St. Louis City have gone into the transfer market to acquire German defender Jannes Horn from FC Nürnberg on loan. FC Nürnberg. At just 27, Horn arrives with the promise of solidifying a defense that has been a weak point for the team. Not only that, but the purchase option built into the contract shows that the club is thinking long-term, betting on the player's versatility and experience.

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Horn, who has made 37 appearances for Nürnberg since arriving from VFL Bochum, is a versatile player. He can play in a variety of defensive roles, whether as a central defender, left-back or even as a left-sided midfielder. This flexibility will be an important asset for the St. Louis City coach, who is looking for tactical alternatives to strengthen the team.

But Horn's story at St. Louis City is just the latest chapter in a series of signings for the club. Cedric Teuchert, from Hannover 96, and Marcel Hartel, formerly of St. Pauli, recently arrived as free agents and are already proving their worth on the pitch. This trio of reinforcements from the German 2. Bundesliga seems to be a clear bet on quality and European experience to raise the level of soccer presented by St. Louis City.

Horn's arrival, however, will not be immediate. The player still needs to resolve bureaucratic issues in Germany, including obtaining a work visa for the USA. But once in Missouri, he will undergo the usual medical examinations before joining the rest of the squad. Expectations are high, and coach John Hackworth is already counting on the defender to bring stability to a line that has suffered a lot this season.

St. Louis City currently sit 13th in the MLS Western Conference with 23 points. They also lead group C of the 2024 Leagues Cup thanks to a 2-1 win over FC Dallas. Even with the win, St. Louis City's defense is the fifth-worst in the MLS, highlighting the urgent need for reinforcements at the back.

The addition of Horn promises to change that. Known for his passing accuracy, with an average of 93%, and his defensive efficiency, the German is rarely dribbled at and has a high rate of steals. His skills are exactly what St. Louis City need to stop conceding goals and start building plays from the back.

Another interesting point is the German connection that is forming at St. Louis City. In addition to Horn, the club already has Edward Löwen and Ben Lundt, both also from Germany. This chemistry could be crucial for the quick and efficient integration of the new players, creating a solid and cohesive core within the team. Now we just have to wait and see how this new signing adapts to American soccer and whether Horn can live up to expectations.