Cole Campbell joins Hoffenheim on six-month loan from Dortmund

Goal reports that Borussia Dortmund announced Monday morning that U.S. youth international Cole Campbell has agreed a six-month loan to Hoffenheim. The deal includes an option to buy for up to $11.7 million should the club opt to make it permanent at the end of the season.

Campbell has played just 16 senior minutes this season for the German giants. He showed promise in 2024-25 but struggled to establish himself this campaign under Niko Kovac, reportedly faced disciplinary issues with the head coach and handed in a transfer request this winter after a lack of playing time. He managed just one Bundesliga appearance this year after playing four times in 2024-25, and Dortmund rejected an offer of around $5m from Stuttgart while clubs in Denmark and Belgium also expressed interest.

Hoffenheim could offer Campbell an immediate chance, with starting winger Bazoumana Toure still with the Ivory Coast at AFCON. Hoffenheim are fifth in the Bundesliga and remain in the hunt for an unlikely Champions League appearance. Despite his difficulties at Dortmund, Campbell has continued to impress for U.S. youth sides, having played in the U20 World Cup and receiving a call-up to the U.S. U-21s training camp at the end of the year.

Key Topics

Sports, Cole Campbell, Borussia Dortmund, Hoffenheim, Niko Kovac, Bazoumana Toure