Dundee United academy graduate Scott Banks has sealed a permanent switch to newly promoted Bundesliga outfit St Pauli.
The Crystal Palace winger spent last season on loan with Kiezkicker but a serious knee injury restricted him to just four appearances, suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in just his third match.
Nevertheless, after respected German sports publication Kicker reported that St Pauli were keen to make Banks’ stay in Hamburg a permanent one, he signed a long-term deal on Wedesday.
The 22-year-old will become just the 10th Scotsman to play in the Bundesliga.
Banks said: “”It was my express wish to stay at FC St. Pauli. I feel I’m not done here yet and believe I’m in the right place to take the next step in my development.
“I’m also very grateful to the club and my team-mates for their support over the past year, which wasn’t an easy time for me personally.
“Finishing the campaign so successfully and the excitement of looking forward to next season in the Bundesliga make it all the nicer.”
Ex-Scotland U/21 ace Banks emerged through the youth ranks at United and, fresh from an impressive loan stint at Clyde in 2018/19, made his senior debut for the Tangerines in July 2019.
He went on to make four appearances for United before joining Palace for an undisclosed fee in January 2020.
Banks was farmed out for spells with Alloa and Dunfermline, but his loan at Bradford City was his most successful by far — notching six goals and three assists from 34 games during the 2022/23 campaign.
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