Dimitar Mitov Joins St. Pauli as New No.1 Goalkeeper
St. Pauli have moved quickly to secure a new first-choice goalkeeper, confirming on Thursday morning the signing of Aberdeen’s Dimitar Mitov on a three-year deal.
The Bulgarian international arrives for a reported €400,000 fee, according to Transfermarkt, and walks straight into a club trying to reset after relegation to the 2. Bundesliga.
From Vasilj’s exit to a new anchor
The need was obvious. After the drop, long-time number one Nikola Vasilj chose a new adventure, leaving for Saudi Pro League newcomers Al-Diriyah instead of extending his expiring contract at the Millerntor.
That exit briefly opened the door for Ben Voll. The former Köln keeper started St. Pauli’s first game back in the 2. Bundesliga, a draw against Greuther Fürth, but that always felt like a stopgap. Mitov’s arrival changes the hierarchy. The 29-year-old is expected to move straight to the top of the pecking order.
Head coach Marcel Rapp made it clear why the club pushed for him.
“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.
Peace and security. Two things every relegated side craves.
Aberdeen’s cup hero heads to Hamburg
Mitov lands in Hamburg with a strong résumé and a growing reputation. After spells at Cambridge United and St. Johnstone FC, he joined Aberdeen and quickly nailed down the starting role in his first two seasons in Scotland.
His debut campaign was interrupted by a hamstring injury that sidelined him for months, but he still helped steer Aberdeen towards a remarkable 2024/25 season. The Dons exploded out of the blocks in the Premiership with 12 wins and a draw to open the campaign, then capped it with their first Scottish Cup triumph since 1990.
Mitov stood at the centre of that moment. In the final against Celtic, he saved two penalties, etching his name into Aberdeen folklore. Across his final season at Pittodrie, he played 42 games, underlining his durability and status as an undisputed starter.
That blend of experience and big-game nerve is exactly what St. Pauli are buying.
“I want to be successful together with the team”
For Mitov, the move is a step into a new league and a club with a fierce identity and demanding fanbase.
“I am very much looking forward to FC St. Pauli and the new league. The discussions with those responsible convinced me of a cooperation,” the 15-time Bulgarian international said in his first interview as a St. Pauli player.
“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.”
St. Pauli now have their new last line of defence. The question is simple: can Mitov’s penalty-box presence and calm under pressure become the foundation of an immediate push back to the Bundesliga?
