St. Louis CITY SC signs Conrad Wallem in a bold move to transform their midfield | OneFootball

St. Louis CITY SC announced today that it has signed 24-year-old Norwegian midfielder Conrad Wallem from Slavia Prague on loan until the end of 2025, with an option to buy. A deal like this puts Wallem in a good position to be an important addition to a squad that was looking for consistency and tactical flexibility-factors with which he is pretty well-equipped.

Impressive resume for his age

With 194 professional games and an impressive stat of 32 goals and 24 assists, Conrad Wallem is certainly the most established name in this list considering his age group. A midfielder who, prior to joining Slavia Prague first division in the Czech league, had a very promising spell in Norway's Eliteserien with Odds BK. His energetic game and capability of playing in several positions made him one of the standout names in the league.

“A versatile player like Conrad, able to play right and left-handed, will continue to make our team better", underlined Lutz Pfannenstiel, sporting director at St. Louis CITY SC. "He's a talented guy - chased by some European clubs - able to threat both offensively and defensively ".

Why Wallem is a smart signing

Signing Wallem means adding a player who is not only technically gifted but can also look at the game from a bigger angle. The fact that he can play as a fullback, winger, or even some hybrid position will give coach Olof Mellberg an important option for different tactical situations.

This becomes even more important for St. Louis, a side which made fundamental changes in 2024 and is set to start off on a new journey with Mellberg at the helm. The new coach will come into a roster tailored for his ideas, and Wallem adds the needed flexibility to attack when required and firm up the rear when necessary.

And let's not forget the strategic implications. In a league like MLS, long travel, and tight schedules demand squad depth, having a player with Wallem's versatility can make all the difference between simply competing and truly excelling.

Thinking behind the deal

The loan with the option to buy is a testament to the trend many MLS clubs are operating within: taking limited risks to test what a signing will do. For Wallem, the 2025 purchase option gives St. Louis time to assess how he will adapt to MLS and its special playing style.

To Wallem, the transfer is a chance to be in a now global soccer community. The League has brought on board both budding young talents and established big-name stars at the perfect time for Wallem to improve.