James Sands will play no further part in St. Pauli’s Bundesliga campaign.
Sands underwent surgery in Munich on Friday after suffering a left ankle injury last weekend against Eintracht Frankfurt, the club announced Friday. The American midfielder is expected to be sidelined several months, ending his season prematurely.
“Initial checks conducted after the game indicated that the joint was relatively stable, but subsequent examinations and tests over the last few days have revealed that surgery is necessary,” a club statement read.
Sands is expected to stay in Germany to begin his injury rehabilitation before rejoining MLS parent club New York City FC at the end of his loan spell in May.
The 25-year-old was loaned back to St. Pauli this season for the second-straight year. He made 28 appearances for the club, scoring one goal.
In total, Sands has made 35 appearances for the club dating back to last season.
Sands made his return to the U.S. men’s national team last fall, earning his 14th senior cap.
His status for this summer’s FIFA World Cup remains undetermined.
St. Pauli sits 14th in the Bundesliga standings, one point clear of the relegation zone.