Who is Cole Campbell?

Data correct as of 9 July 2024

Cole Campbell

Age: 18 (born 20 February 2006)

Club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: Left/ right winger

Country: USA (one U19 cap, two goals)

Key stats

Campbell's inked a long-term deal that ties him to Dortmund until 30 June 2028. The Texan has been at the club since summer 2022, producing 18 goals and 19 assists across 52 games at U17s and 19s level. He is a product of the Atalanta United youth academy, but made his senior debut across the Atlantic, in Iceland, aged 15. The 5'11" left-footed winger made a total of six appearances for Hafnarfjordur in 2021/22, and ranks as the Icelandic top-flight outfit's second-youngest player.

Having briefly turned out for Breiðablik and hit the ground running with Dortmund, even earning a spot in the BVB senior team's 2023/24 winter training camp, Campbell marked his maiden US U19 cap with a match-winning brace against England in March 2024. In 2024/25, he has made his first steps in professional football, making several appearances for Borussia Dortmund II in the 3. Liga and scoring his first goal at that level against Alemannia Aachen.

Plays a bit like: Leroy Sané

Campbell is a menace whether deployed on his natural left side or as an inverted winger on the opposite flank. He's quick, skilful and a taker and maker of chances, with an attacking profile comparable to Bayern Munich and Germany forward Leroy Sané.

Did you know?

Campbell is the son of former Iceland women's team forward Rakel Karvelsson, who was born in Los Angeles and played college football for North Carolina. The Dortmund youngster represented the Iceland U17s on seven occasions, before having his one-time change of affiliation request approved by world football governing body, FIFA, in the early part of 2024. In a strange twist of fate, it was an encounter with former Werder Bremen and USMNT forward Aron Jóhannsson that sowed the seed for his switch to the USA.

"It's kind of funny,” Campbell recalled of meeting Jóhannsson. "I made the switch to Breiðablik a few months before I left for Dortmund. We were playing against the team that Aron Jóhannsson played for. After the game was over, he came over to me. I had never met him before and he was like, 'you're Cole, right?' I was like, 'yeah'. Then he told me I’ve got to consider playing for the US. I was like, 'really?' And he said it's such a great opportunity. It's such a big, big thing. He said he would do it all over again if he could. It kind of got me thinking."

What they're saying

"Cole is a very young and extremely exciting player, who took huge strides in the past year. We see so much potential in him." - Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl after Campbell put pen to paper on his first pro contract

"Cole came in for his debut with the US after his one-time switch. He was definitely up for the challenge to show and prove why it was all worth it. I think he made that impact." - USA U19s head coach Michael Nsien on Campbell's debut

"This is an important season for me. I want to make the breakthrough into the pros. I have to work hard for that and then we will see what is possible. I hope I get my chance soon." - Campbell following his maiden senior goal against Alemannia Aachen