Official
“Timo and his vast European experience will be a key element for our team next year. Not only does Timo bring experience on the pitch, but he also has the leadership character which will be an added value for the dressing room.” Only sweet words from sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel for the new signing of Saint Louis City, Timo BaumgartlGerman defender born in 1996 – released from Schalke – who joined the MLS club by signing a contract until 2026 with an extension option for 2027.
The official press release
“St. Louis CITY SC strengthens defense with the signing of German central defender Timo Baumgartl, pending receipt of International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 visa. Baumgartl has been signed until 2026 with an option for 2027 and will occupy an international slot in the squad.
Baumgartl, 28, has made a total of 140 appearances in the major leagues of Germany and the Netherlands. For his national team, he has amassed 30 appearances for Germany’s youth teams. Baumgartl, together with current CITY SC players Marcel Hartel, Jannes Horn, Eduard Löwen and Cedric Teuchert, was a teammate in the Germany Under-21 national team. Baumgartl grew up in Stuttgart’s youth system, starting at 15 with the Under-17 team.
He made a total of 217 appearances for Stuttgart, notably obtaining the title of champion of the 2. Bundesliga in the 2016-17 season, playing all the matches as a starter and playing the full 90 minutes on 29 occasions. After seven years spent in the Stuttgart organization, Baumgartl moved to PSV Eindhoven, one of the main teams in the Netherlands, where his main achievement was leading the defense with 4 “clean sheets” during the UEFA qualifiers Europa League 2019, allowing PSV to access the group stage. After two seasons at PSV, Baumgartl returned to Germany, where he played two seasons at Union Berlin and more recently played with FC Schalke 04 in the 2023-24 2. Bundesliga season,” the announcement added.