Bundesliga
Castrop's Korean change of heart
Jens Castrop has been living quite the adventure, from debuting in the Bundesliga with new side Borussia Mönchengladbach to getting his first minutes as a senior South Korea international in the United States. bundesliga.com profiles a 22-year-old with limitless potential.
Data correct as of 7 September 2025
Age: 22 (born 29 July 2003)
Club: Borussia Mönchengladbach
Position: Midfielder
Country: South Korea (1 cap, 0 goals)
Key stats
A native of Düsseldorf, Castrop kitted out for local youth clubs Lohausener and Fortuna before rocking up at Cologne in 2015 as a young teen.
It quickly became apparent that the ultra-versatile talent had the goods to step up to the pros after starring for the Billy Goats' junior teams in domestic competition and the UEFA Youth League.
A loan to Bundesliga 2 team Nuremberg followed in 2022 and after impressing in 32 senior appearances in all competitions for Der Club, Castrop's move to the Max-Morlock-Stadion was soon made permanent.
Coming up through the international youth ranks with Germany - where he featured from U16 level to making four appearances with the U21s - meant that Castrop was regularly in the thoughts of top-tier clubs. Gladbach pounced in February 2025, sealing a move for the player in a deal that would take him to Borussia Park for the beginning of the 2025/26 season.
Watch: Castrop's Bundesliga debut came against Hamburg
Castrop made his Bundesliga debut with the Foals in a scoreless Matchday 1 draw against Hamburg on 24 August. Shortly afterwards, he made his senior international bow for South Korea in a friendly victory against the USMNT, having switched international allegiances to the country of his mother's birth.
Plays a bit like: Mario Götze
Adept at playing in a wide variety of positions from defence to attack, it is when he is in his midfield role that Castrop can resemble FIFA World Cup winner and Eintracht Frankfurt star Götze.
A fan of receiving the ball to feet and strong enough to hold off opposition players in order to speed up transitions, South Korea's recent debutant is also a quick in-game thinker and boasts solid close-control and plenty of tricks in his repertoire.
Did you know?
Castrop's request to change international allegiance to South Korea was approved by FIFA in August 2025. He quickly became the first foreign-born player of mixed heritage to be called up to the Korean men's squad.
What they're saying
“My dynamism on the pitch makes me stand out. What position I ultimately play in does not matter that much to me. I’ve got a lot of games under my belt as a right-back, but also as a number eight operating in the half spaces. I can also play as a number six – I can adapt easily and play wherever I can help the team out most." - Castrop during an interview with Gladbach in July 2025
"It was a very tough decision. And I think, with this kind of decision in your life, you have to listen to your heart, and my heart said I want to play for Korea, and that's why I'm very proud that I'm here now." - Castrop on switching international allegiances to South Korea