Ricky-Jade Jones: Who is St. Pauli’s newest addition from the English third tier?
Following an impressive season at boyhood club Peterborough United, Ricky-Jade Jones has taken the step up from England's third tier to Germany's top flight with St. Pauli. Find out more on the English striker...
Data correct as of 1 July 2025
Ricky-Jade Jones
Age: 22 (born 8 November 2002)
Club: St. Pauli
Position: Striker
Country: England (uncapped)
Jones had been at Peterborough since he was nine years old and made the first of his 203 appearances at the age of 16. During this time, he scored 41 goals and assisted another 12.
The 2025/26 campaign was the 22-year-old's best to date as he played an integral role in helping steer Peterborough away from the relegation zone in England's League One with 11 league goals. He also provided an assist as the third-tier side defeated Birmingham City 2-0 in the EFL Trophy final in April.
Watch: Get to know Ricky-Jade Jones
Plays a bit like: Hugo Ekitiké
Pauli’s new striker has flashes of the talent that has turned Ekitiké into one of world football’s hottest prospects at Eintracht Frankfurt. The Englishman is lightning quick and was clocked at a whopping 37.6 km/h last season. For reference, Frankfurt’s Jean-Mattéo Bahoya became the fastest player recorded in Bundesliga history last season with a top speed of 'only' 37.16 km/h.
Like Ekitiké, Jones also has a habit of drifting wide to utilise his pace, and he has a never-give-up attitude that makes him a nightmare for defenders as he will pounce on any loose ball. As his speed would suggest, he is incredibly dangerous getting in behind and tends to strike his shots early before the keeper can get himself fully set.
Jones also has the fantastic habit of being in the right place at the right time when it comes to crosses, as he often times his runs to perfection to slide in and toe poke the ball home from low crosses.
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Did you know?
Underlining a 2024 study that ranked Jones among the quickest players in world football, Peterborough head coach Darren Ferguson described the English forward as the "fastest player I've ever worked with".
What they're saying
"We’re glad we were able to persuade Ricky to make the move. He has enormous experience in the professional game for his age and has been a consistent performer for several years. We’re convinced he can establish himself in the Bundesliga with his mix of pace, directness and resilience." - St. Pauli director of sport Andreas Bornemann
"His explosive pace is Ricky’s most obvious quality and often he can only be stopped by a foul, but he knows how to use his pace the properly, which makes him not only an attacking threat but also a massive team player when pressing and transitioning into defence." - St. Pauli head coach Alexander Blessin
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