FC St Pauli are being linked with a move for Netherlands-Cameroon right-back Steven van der Sloot, who currently plays for ADO Den Haag in the Dutch Keuken Kampioen Divisie.
The 23-year-old defender, valued at €650,000 on Transfermarkt, is the subject of fresh speculation over a potential switch from the Hague to the Bundesliga, with the rumour logged on 2 June 2026 and the likelihood of a deal currently listed as “?” in terms of probability.
Van der Sloot, who is 1.75m tall and predominantly right-footed, features mainly as a defender at right-back and wears the No 2 shirt for ADO Den Haag. Born on 6 July 2002 in Limbe, he holds both Dutch and Cameroonian nationality, and is considered one of the more intriguing young full-backs operating outside Europe’s top five leagues.
Details of his contractual situation at ADO Den Haag remain unclear, with no official expiry date recorded. That uncertainty has fuelled talk that he could become a free agent if a deal is not agreed, prompting suggestions that St Pauli may be exploring whether a low-fee move or pre-contract arrangement is possible. Transfer jargon around his name already includes phrases such as “free agent” and “contract expired” because of the absence of publicly available contract end dates.
In the Dutch second tier this season, Van der Sloot has been used primarily in his natural right-back berth, offering defensive security and width on the flank. In ADO Den Haag’s recent league fixture – a tightly contested match in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie against domestic opposition earlier this spring – he completed the full 90 minutes in a narrow scoreline, contributing with his usual defensive industry and overlapping runs, though no goals or assists were recorded for him in that game. His appearances in these types of fixtures have helped maintain his valuation at €650k.
Van der Sloot’s career to date has been rooted in Dutch football, with his current spell at ADO Den Haag giving him regular senior exposure in a competitive but developmental environment. The club operate in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, a league that has frequently provided a pathway for young defenders to step up into top-flight football in Germany and elsewhere.
St Pauli, meanwhile, are preparing for life in the Bundesliga and are understood to be scanning the market for cost-effective defensive reinforcements capable of adapting quickly to a higher tempo and more demanding tactical set-up. A profile such as Van der Sloot’s – young, dual-national, with professional minutes behind him and a modest market value – fits the type of opportunistic recruitment often seen from newly promoted or consolidation-minded German clubs.
While no fee, contract length or advanced stage of negotiation has been reported, the timing of the rumour and the ambiguity around his deal at ADO Den Haag mean interest in the defender is unlikely to fade quickly. His dual Netherlands and Cameroon eligibility also adds a layer of longer-term potential for any buying club, with the possibility of future international recognition boosting his value.
If a transfer to St Pauli does materialise, it would mark a significant step up for Van der Sloot from the Dutch second tier to the Bundesliga, offering him a platform to develop his reputation, test himself against higher-calibre opposition and potentially transform a €650k valuation into a springboard for a sustained top-flight career.
