Cole Campbell burst onto the Bundesliga scene at just 18 when he stepped onto the pitch for Borussia Dortmund, but his early promise was soon interrupted by a loan spell at Hoffenheim that never really took off. After nearly two years of limited opportunities, Campbell finally earned his first start in Germany's top flight, and the patience he showed paid off in spectacular fashion. Now wearing the colours of Elversberg, the Texas‑born striker celebrated his full Bundesliga debut by finding the net in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
He followed that with a starting role in a 4-3 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach, and an off‑side call denied him a potential equaliser against Bayern Munich. "I went to celebrate and then, when I turned around, I couldn't see any of my teammates.
It was an amazing feeling even though the goal didn't count," Campbell recalled, using the word "amazing" repeatedly to describe his whirlwind month. Elversberg is a modest club that has just earned its first ever place in the Bundesliga, and Campbell could not have imagined his career taking off in such a small town at the age of 20. Yet four matches into the season, the youthful squad has become a talking point across Germany.
"The expectations were actually the opposite of what we have shown so far," Campbell said. "We are giving everything we have and trying to play the best football we can." That mindset translates into fearless attacking play, even against giants like Bayern.
He explained that playing against world‑class opponents is a different level, but the key is not to be intimidated by the names on the team sheet. "Bravery for me as an offensive player means not being scared to go one‑on‑one and try something, even if the opponent has a big reputation. We will keep being brave, give 100 per cent and see what happens," he added.
Campbell feels at home in the close‑knit environment of Elversberg. When asked which teammates he considers friends, he could name almost the entire squad, noting, "We are a very close team. I cannot pick just one person." The club reminds him of Iceland, where he spent part of his childhood, and he draws a parallel between the small‑town atmosphere of both places. He enjoys the local coffee shops and has developed a taste for schnitzel, although he admits it is not the healthiest staple.
Living in Germany has also helped him pick up the language, a skill he found challenging at first. His multicultural background may have eased the transition: his mother, former Icelandic international Rakel Karvelsson, often trains with him for fun. She still challenges him to two‑touch games, though she no longer wins. "When I was 14 or 15 I started to beat her," Campbell laughed.
Despite his Icelandic roots, Campbell has committed his international future to the United States. "That is set in stone," he affirmed, and he earned his senior debut for the USMNT in a recent win over Canada. While his long‑term trajectory remains uncertain, Campbell reflects on the past two years as a period of waiting and growth.
His loan to Hoffenheim yielded only five substitute appearances, leaving him to wonder whether the stint was a waste. He now sees it differently: "My mindset then was very different.
The lessons I learned in those 22 months would not have happened otherwise. It built my character." Faith also plays a central role in Campbell's life. He frequently references his Christian beliefs, saying, "Trusting the plan that God has for you is something you always have to do.
God has a plan." He believes his spirituality has strengthened his mental toughness and his relationship with the divine. When asked about comparisons to fellow American star Christian Pulisic, Campbell responded, "Comparison is the thief of joy.
That is in the Bible." Campbell's faith helped him rationalise the plateau in his career, providing a steady anchor during the highs and lows of professional football. "It is easy to get caught up in the sport and its surrounding pressures, but there are always ups and downs.
Having God to hold onto during those times kept me going," he explained. "I can become the best footballer, but without God by my side it means nothing. My faith is everything to me, and I want to share that positively with others." On the pitch, Campbell knows he still must prove himself. After the disappointment at Hoffenheim, the move to Elversberg was crucial for gaining regular minutes and a larger role than he ever had at Dortmund.
"The move was very important. Now I am getting the playing time I need to develop and become the best player I can be. This step was the right one, and I am happy I came here," he said.
As Elversberg's record signing, he feels both pressure and trust from the club. "There is pressure that comes with it, but there is also a lot of belief in me.
The pressure I put on myself was there before any money was involved," he noted. He praised the supportive atmosphere at the club and highlighted the pathways created by former teammates like Nick Woltemade, Younes Ebnoutalib and Fisnik Asllani, who all progressed after joining Elversberg. "Seeing other players get minutes and develop helped me decide this was the right step," Campbell added. Conversations with the club hierarchy convinced him that Elversberg had a clear plan and a strong identity.
Head coach Vincent Wagner, in particular, has helped improve Campbell's defensive contributions, a facet of his game that the young forward says has grown significantly under Wagner's guidance. Looking ahead, Campbell aims to become "the best version" of himself, acknowledging that there is no single right path for every player. With the backing of Elversberg, his faith, and his determination, the United States international is seizing his chance in the Bundesliga and writing a new chapter in his career.