Cole Campbell first stepped onto a Bundesliga pitch at the tender age of 18, debuting for Borussia Dortmund. After that promising start, a loan spell at Hoffenheim failed to deliver the playing time he craved, leaving him on the sidelines for nearly two years before finally earning his first start in the league. The long wait proved worthwhile. Now wearing the colors of Elversberg, the Texas‑born striker announced his arrival in style by finding the net on his full‑match debut, contributing to a dramatic 3‑2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
He followed that up with a starting role in a thrilling 4‑3 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach, and an off‑side call robbed him of an equaliser 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, repeatedly using the word "amazing" to describe his emotions over the past month.
Elversberg, a modest club that has just broken into the top flight for the first time, was hardly the stage Campbell imagined for the launch of his professional career at 20. Yet four matches into the campaign, this youthful squad has become one of the Bundesliga's most talked‑about stories.
"The expectations were actually the opposite of what we have shown so far," Campbell said. "We give everything we have and try to play the best football we can." That mindset translates into fearless attacking play, even against giants like Bayern Munich. He acknowledges the step up in quality: "Obviously it’s a different level when you’re up against some of the world’s best players," he noted, but stresses that the key is to ignore the stature of the opposition.
"Don’t worry about who’s standing there," he added, a philosophy evident in Elversberg’s bold forward movement. "Bravery for me as an offensive player means not being scared to go one‑on‑one and trying something, even if the opponent has a big reputation.
We will keep being brave, give 100 percent and see what happens," Campbell explained. Campbell already feels at home.
When asked which teammates he considers friends, he could name almost the entire squad. "We are a very close team. I can’t pick just one person," he laughed.
The club’s small‑town atmosphere reminds him of Iceland, where he spent part of his childhood. "There are definitely similarities," he said. "That small‑town feel is similar to when I was in Iceland, so I really like it here." He enjoys the local cafés and has developed a taste for schnitzel, though he admits it isn’t the healthiest staple.
He has also embraced life in Germany beyond football, learning the language despite early difficulties. His multicultural background may have helped; his mother, Rakel Karvelsson, is a former Icelandic international. "I can also train with her, which is fun," Campbell shared, noting that she still challenges him to quick two‑touch drills, even if she no longer wins. Despite his Icelandic ties, Campbell has committed his international future to the United States.
"That is set in stone," he declared, and he earned his senior debut in a recent victory over Canada. The future, however, remains open‑ended. The past two years have been a roller‑coaster, and Campbell admits he was at a crossroads this summer.
After his breakthrough at Dortmund, his loan to Hoffenheim yielded just five substitute appearances over five months. "I was expecting to play more," he admitted. "Maybe someone will look back and say it was a waste of time for me." Yet Campbell refuses to view it that way. "My mindset then was very different.
The lessons I learned in those 22 months would not have happened if things had gone another way. It built my character," he reflected. Faith also plays a central role in his life. "Trusting the plan that God has for you is something you always have to do.
God has a plan. It strengthened my relationship with Him and my mental toughness. I have become a better player," he said during a 40‑minute interview with an international press corps.
When asked about comparisons to fellow American star Christian Pulisic, Campbell smiled and replied, "Comparison is the thief of joy. That is in the Bible." He explained that his Christianity helped him rationalise the period when his career seemed to plateau. "Football has many ups and downs, it’s a bumpy road. Having God to hold onto during those times kept me going," he said.
"I can be the best footballer and achieve everything, but in the end it means nothing if I don’t have God by my side. My faith is everything for me.
I want to share what I believe in and positively impact people," he added. Nevertheless, Campbell knows that on‑field performance is the foundation of his platform. After the Hoffenheim disappointment, moving to Elversberg was essential for regular minutes and a larger role than he had at Dortmund. "The move was very important for me.
Now I’m getting the minutes I need to develop and become the best player I can be. This step was the right one, and I’m happy I came here," he affirmed. As Elversberg’s record signing, he feels the weight of expectation, yet also the trust the club has placed in him.
"There is pressure, but there is also a lot of belief from the club. The pressure I put on myself was there before any money was involved," he explained. He praises the supportive atmosphere at the club, noting that players such as Nick Woltemade, Younes Ebnoutalib and Fisnik Asllani have also flourished after joining Elversberg, which helped influence his decision. "When other players have gone there, they’ve gotten minutes, developed, and taken a big step forward.
That definitely helped me decide it was the right move," Campbell said. Conversations with the club’s hierarchy convinced him further. "They explained their plan and what the club stands for," he recalled.
Head coach Vincent Wagner has already made a positive impact, especially on Campbell’s defensive work, which he says has improved considerably under Wagner’s guidance. Looking ahead, Campbell’s goal is to become "the best version" of himself.
"I don’t think there’s a single right path. Every player is different," he noted, but he feels his current trajectory is working. In summary, Cole Campbell—a United States international—has seized his Bundesliga opportunity at Elversberg, turning a challenging early career into a story of resilience, faith, and ambition. His journey illustrates how a young American can thrive in one of Europe’s toughest leagues while staying true to his personal values and cultural roots.