Cole Campbell first stepped onto a Bundesliga pitch at the tender age of 18, debuting for Borussia Dortmund. A subsequent loan spell at Hoffenheim proved disappointing, leaving him on the sidelines for nearly two years before he finally earned his first start in the German top flight.
That long wait has now paid off in spectacular fashion. Since joining Elversberg, the Texas‑born striker has announced his arrival in style. In his first full‑match appearance he found the net in a thrilling 3‑2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, and he followed that up with a start in a 4‑3 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Only an off‑side call prevented him from equalising against Bayern Munich, a moment he later described as "amazing" despite the goal not counting. "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 keeps returning to when he reflects on the past month.
Elversberg is a modest club, barely known outside its local region, and this is its first season in the Bundesliga. Few could have imagined that a 20‑year‑old would be using this tiny German town as the launchpad for his professional career. Yet four games into the campaign the squad has captured the imagination of fans across the league.
"The expectation was actually quite the opposite of what we have already shown," Campbell said. "We are giving everything we have and trying to play the best football we can." His mantra is simple: play without fear and take the game to the giants, even Bayern Munich. He acknowledges the step‑up in quality, noting that "it is obviously a different level when you are playing against some of the best players in the world." Still, his advice to teammates is to ignore the star power of opponents and focus on their own game.
This fearless approach is evident in Elversberg’s attacking style, which relies on bold, one‑on‑one duels and creative risk‑taking. "Bravery for me as an offensive player is to not be afraid of going one‑on‑one and trying something instead of being scared because of their reputation.
We will continue to be brave, give 100 per cent and see what happens," he explained. Campbell already feels at home in his new surroundings. When asked about his friends at the club, he could name almost every teammate, emphasizing the close‑knit nature of the group. "We are a very close team.
I cannot say one guy," he laughed. The 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 said. He has taken a liking to the local coffee shops and admits a particular fondness for schnitzel, though he jokes that he can’t eat it 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," Campbell admitted, noting that his multicultural background may have helped. His mother, former Icelandic international Rakel Karvelsson, still trains with him for fun and occasionally challenges him to a two‑touch game.
"She doesn’t win anymore. When I was 14 or 15 I started to beat her," he smiles.
Despite his Icelandic roots, Campbell has chosen to represent the United States at senior level. "That is set in stone," he affirmed, and he earned his first senior cap in a recent win over Canada.
The past two years have felt like a crossroads for the young forward. After his breakthrough at Dortmund, the loan to Hoffenheim yielded only five substitute appearances over five months, leaving him frustrated. "I was expecting to play more," he confessed.
Some might view that period as wasted, but Campbell refuses to see it that way. "My mindset then was a lot different than it is now. The things I have learned in these 22 months I would not have learned if things had happened differently.
It was character building," he reflected. He credits his faith for providing stability during those uncertain times. "Trusting in the plan that God has for you is something you always have to do. God has a plan.
I believe that it also strengthened my relationship with Him and my mental toughness. I have become a better player," he explained, noting that his spirituality is a recurring theme in interviews. When asked about comparisons with fellow American Christian Pulisic, Campbell dismissed them, citing a biblical proverb: "Comparison is the thief of joy. That is in The Bible." His belief system has helped him rationalise the plateau in his career, turning a difficult phase into an opportunity for growth.
"It is easy to get caught up in football and the things that surround it, but football has many ups and downs. It’s a bumpy road, you are going to have lows. It’s the same with life. To have God to hold onto in those times kept me going," he said.
He emphasizes that success on the pitch is still essential. After the Hoffenheim disappointment, the move to Elversberg was driven by a need for regular minutes and a larger role than he had at Dortmund. "The move for me was very important. I needed to get minutes for my career and to play a bigger role," he noted.
Now, as the club’s record signing, he feels both pressure and trust from the organisation. "There is pressure that comes with it, but there is also a lot of trust from them to believe in me. The pressure I put on myself was already there before the money was involved," he explained. Campbell praises the supportive environment at Elversberg, pointing to the progress of teammates such as Nick Woltemade, Younes Ebnoutalib and Fisnik Asllani, who have all flourished after joining.
"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. Discussions with the club’s hierarchy convinced him that Elversberg’s vision aligned with his own ambitions.
Head coach Vincent Wagner has already helped improve his defensive contributions, adding another dimension to his game. Looking ahead, Campbell’s goal is to become "the best version" of himself, acknowledging that there is no single right path for every player.
For now, his journey – from a debut at Dortmund, through a stalled loan, to becoming a record signing at a tiny Bundesliga newcomer – illustrates how perseverance, faith, and a willingness to take bold steps can turn a challenging period into a promising new chapter in the world’s most competitive league.