Ricky-Jade Jones, one of the fastest players in the world, is inching closer to making his debut for Bundesliga outfit St. Pauli. The 22-year-old spent six years at Peterborough United, before making a free transfer from the League One outfit over the summer. Jones suffered an unfortunate injury during the pre-season, which forced him to miss the first two months of the ongoing campaign.
St. Pauli hand Ricky-Jade Jones a chance to fulfill his potential
Jones burst onto the scene at Peterborough United as a 16-year-old in October 2019. Over six years with the club, he made 203 appearances and scored 42 goals, including a season in the Championship. His standout performances over the past two seasons in League One – where he netted a combined 30 goals across all competitions – caught the eye of Bundesliga side St. Pauli, who signed the 22-year-old on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportJones suffered bitter start to St. Pauli career
His introduction to top-flight football took an unfortunate turn when he sustained a shoulder injury during a pre-season friendly against fourth-tier German side Drochtersen. However, he used the recent two-week international break to work hard on his recovery, during which he took part in team training sessions. "He's a bit ahead of schedule. He's not far off schedule. It looks very, very dynamic. I like that," St. Pauli head coach Alexander Blessin said at the start of October.
Jones among the fastest players in the world
Back in 2019, Peterborough head coach Darren Ferguson, the son of Sir Alex Ferguson, stated that Jones "must be the quickest player I've ever managed and I've managed some quick ones. He's a talent, there's no doubt about that."
Last season, Jones clocked a speed of 37.6 km/h, making him the joint-fastest player in the world along with LA Galaxy's Joseph Paintsil. Back in 2020, his incredible pace caught the attention of Premier League giants such as Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal.
Getty Images SportWhen will Jones make his Bundesliga debut?
It is unlikely that Jones will be fit for the league clash against Hoffenheim on Sunday, or the encounter against Eintracht Frankfurt on October 25. However, he can be expected to feature in some capacity in the DFB-Pokal second round against Hoffenheim on October 28.
