Cole Campbell was 18 years old when he made his Bundesliga debut for Borussia Dortmund. But a subsequent loan move to Hoffenheim did not work out and he had to wait almost two years for his first start in the competition. Now at Elversberg, the Texas-born forward marked his full Bundesliga debut with a goal in a 3-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen.
He has since started in the 4-3 win at Borussia Monchengladbach. Only an offside flag denied him an equaliser against Bayern Munich. "I went to celebrate and then when I turned around I was confused because I did not see any of my team-mates.
It was an amazing feeling even though it did not count." Amazing is a word that he returns to often in explaining his emotions this past month. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player And why not? Elversberg, this tiny German club playing in the top division for the first time, could not have been where he envisages his career kickstarting aged 20.
But four games into the season and this young group of players are the talk of the Bundesliga. "The expectation was actually quite the opposite of what we have already shown," says Campbell. "We are just giving everything that we have and trying to play the best football that we can." And that means playing without fear, taking the game to teams like Bayern.
"It is obviously a different level when you are playing against some of the best players in the world." But the key to it is "not to worry about who is standing there" and that has been evident in Elversberg's approach, epitomised by their enterprising forward play. "Bravery for me as an offensive player is to not be afraid of going one against one and trying something instead of being scared and not trying it because of their reputation. Something we will continue to do is be brave, give 100 per cent and see what happens." Speaking to Campbell, he sounds at home already.
Asked who his friends are at the club and he name-checks most of the squad. "We are a very close team. I cannot say one guy." Elversberg even reminds him of Iceland, where he spent part of his childhood.
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