Cole Campbell first stepped onto a Bundesliga pitch at the age of 18 when he debuted for Borussia Dortmund. After that promising start, a loan spell at Hoffenheim failed to deliver the playing time he needed, leaving him on the sidelines for almost two years before he finally earned his first start in the league. The long wait proved worthwhile. Now wearing the colours of Elversberg, the Texas‑born striker celebrated his full‑match debut in the top flight by finding the net in a thrilling 3‑2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
He followed that up with a start in a 4‑3 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach, and an off‑side call was the only thing that stopped him from equalising against Bayern Munich. "I went to celebrate and then when I turned around I was confused because I did not see any of my teammates. It was an amazing feeling even though it did not count," Campbell recalled, a phrase he repeats often when describing his emotions over the past month.
Elversberg is a modest club from a small German town that is competing in the Bundesliga for the first time in its history. Few could have imagined that a 20‑year‑old forward would find his career taking off at such a humble outfit, yet four games into the campaign the team and its youthful core have become one of the league’s most talked‑about stories. "The expectation was actually quite the opposite of what we have already shown," Campbell said.
"We are just giving everything that we have and trying to play the best football that we can." That mindset translates into a fearless approach, even when taking on giants like Bayern Munich. He acknowledges the step up in quality: "It is obviously a different level when you are playing against some of the best players in the world." Yet his advice to teammates is simple – ignore the reputation of the opposition and focus on the task at hand. This philosophy is evident in Elversberg’s aggressive attacking play, which often catches larger clubs off guard. "Bravery for me as an offensive player is to not be afraid of going one‑on‑one and trying something instead of being scared and not trying it because of their reputation.
Something we will continue to do is be brave, give 100 per cent and see what happens," he explained. Campbell already feels at home in his new surroundings. When asked which teammates he considers friends, he smiled and named virtually the entire squad. "We are a very close team.
I cannot say one guy," he said. The club’s intimate atmosphere reminds him of Iceland, where he spent part of his childhood. "There are definitely similarities. That small‑town feel is similar to when I was in Iceland so I really like it here," he noted.
He enjoys the local cafés and has developed a taste for schnitzel, though he jokes that he can’t indulge too often because it isn’t the healthiest option. Adapting to life in Germany has also meant learning the language. "Before that, it was a bit difficult," he admitted, but he says his multicultural upbringing helped.
His mother, former Icelandic international Rakel Karvelsson, still trains with him for fun. She occasionally challenges him to a two‑touch duel. "She does not win anymore. When I was 14 or 15, I started to beat her," Campbell laughed.
Despite his Icelandic roots, he has chosen to represent the United States at senior level. "That is set in stone," he declared, and he earned his first senior cap in a recent win over Canada.
The path to this point has not been smooth. After his breakthrough at Dortmund, Campbell expected more playing time at Hoffenheim.
Instead, he made just five substitute appearances over five months. "Maybe someone else will look at it and say it was a waste for me," he reflected, but he refuses to view the period as a failure. "My mindset then was a lot different than it is now.
The things that I have learned in these 22 months I would not have learned if things had happened differently. It was character‑building," he said. "Without this then my character would not have changed." Faith also plays a central role in Campbell’s life.
He frequently mentions his belief in God, describing it as a source of resilience during the ups and downs of his career. "Trusting in the plan that God has for you is something that you always have to do.
God has a plan. I believe that it also strengthened my relationship with him and strengthened my mental toughness. I have become a better player," he explained during a 40‑minute interview with an international press corps. When asked about comparisons with fellow American star Christian Pulisic, Campbell responded, "Comparison is the thief of joy.
That is in The Bible." He believes that focusing on his own journey, rather than measuring himself against others, allows him to stay grounded and motivated. His move to Elversberg was driven by a need for regular minutes and a larger role than he had at Dortmund. "I needed to get minutes for my career and to play a bigger role than what I had at Dortmund," he said. The opportunity has paid off: he is now the club’s record signing and a key figure in their attacking set‑up.
"There is pressure that comes with it. But on the other hand, there is also a lot of trust from them to believe in me.
And I would say that the pressure that I put on myself to perform was already there before the money was involved," Campbell noted, emphasizing that his personal standards pre‑date any financial considerations. He also praised the pathway that other Elversberg players have forged.
Nick Woltemade, Younes Ebnoutalib and Fisnik Asllani all joined the club and have used it as a springboard for their careers. "When you have other players that have gone there, they have gotten their minutes and they have developed and made a big step for themselves, that obviously helps," he said. Their success influenced his decision to sign. The club’s hierarchy presented a clear vision that resonated with Campbell.
"They explained their plan and what the club is about," he recalled. Head coach Vincent Wagner has also been instrumental in his development, especially on the defensive side of his game.
"My defensive work is something that has improved a lot. He is helping me," Campbell added.
Looking ahead, Campbell’s goal is to become "the best version" of himself. He acknowledges that there is no single formula for success: "I do not think there is any right path. Every player is different." Yet he feels that the steps he has taken – from Texas to Iceland, from Dortmund to Hoffenheim, and now to Elversberg – are aligning to give him the platform he needs to thrive in the Bundesliga and on the international stage for the United States. In summary, Cole Campbell’s story is one of perseverance, faith, and adaptation.
After early promise, a challenging loan, and a period of limited action, he has found a nurturing environment at a small German club that values his talent and gives him the chance to showcase it week after week. His journey underscores the importance of patience, belief, and the willingness to embrace new cultures and challenges in the pursuit of footballing excellence.