Cole Campbell made headlines at 18 years old when he debuted in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund. However, a loan to Hoffenheim did not yield the expected results, leading him to wait nearly two years for another start in the league. Now with Elversberg, the forward celebrated his full Bundesliga debut by scoring in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen. He has continued to make an impact, starting in a 4-3 win against Borussia Monchengladbach and narrowly missing an equalizer against Bayern Munich due to an offside call.

Read More

Reflecting on his time at Elversberg, a club competing at the top tier for the first time, Campbell expressed surprise at how well the young team has performed. "The expectation was actually quite the opposite of what we have already shown. We are just giving everything that we have and trying to play the best football that we can," he stated. He emphasized playing without fear against formidable opponents, noting the importance of bravery in taking risks on the field.

Campbell has quickly adapted to life in Germany, finding a sense of familiarity with the small-town atmosphere reminiscent of his childhood in Iceland. He appreciates the local culture, enjoying visits to coffee shops and a fondness for schnitzel, despite joking about its healthiness. He has also learned German, noting that it was challenging at first.

His multicultural background, with a mother who is former Icelandic international Rakel Karvelsson, has been a source of support. Campbell shared how he enjoyed training with her, although he now often wins in their two-touch games.

Recently, Campbell debuted for the United States national team in a match against Canada, firmly establishing his international allegiance. He commented on his challenging years, particularly at Hoffenheim, where he felt his opportunities were limited. Despite this, he focused on personal growth and the lessons learned during that period.

"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," he said. His faith also plays a significant role in his life and career, helping him navigate the ups and downs of professional football.

"To have God to hold onto in those times is something that kept me going," he remarked, emphasizing that his faith is central to his identity and goals.

Campbell's move to Elversberg was strategic, allowing him the minutes and role he sought to advance his career. "The move for me was very important. I needed to get minutes for my career and to play a bigger role than what I had at Dortmund," he explained. As the club's record signing, he feels the weight of expectation but is motivated by the trust placed in him.

Encouraged by players who have developed at Elversberg, Campbell acknowledged the club's supportive atmosphere as a motivating factor for his move. Conversations with the coaching staff and the club's hierarchy solidified his decision, and he is already seeing improvements under head coach Vincent Wagner.

As Campbell aims to become "the best version" of himself at Elversberg, he recognizes that every player's path is unique, but his current trajectory appears to be promising as he embraces this new chapter in his football career.