In a small southwestern German town, SV Elversberg is set to make its Bundesliga debut after earning promotion from the 2. Bundesliga. The club, though new to Germany’s top tier, has a track record of nurturing talent for the Bundesliga and beyond.
Former loanee Nick Woltemade blossomed here before moving to Stuttgart and then Newcastle United, while Hoffenheim striker Fisnik Asllani also developed his game at the club. Bayern Munich’s promising youngster Paul Wanner spent a loan spell with Elversberg. The club has also produced managers, most notably Horst Steffen, who moved to Werder Bremen after guiding Elversberg to successive promotions.
Rebuilding is a familiar task for the club, and it has done so successfully—whether by replacing loanees or reshaping the squad for the next season. Technical Director Josef Welzmüller believes the move to the Bundesliga will simplify this process.
“I think this year it’s even easier because we can offer them a chance to play in the Bundesliga,” Welzmüller said. “It was a bit more difficult in the 2. Bundesliga, but now it’s quite easy. We can’t offer high wages, but we can provide a strong development pathway for the players.”
Faith in a Young American Star
Elversberg continues its player‑development philosophy by adding young talent such as loanee Francis Onyeka, and it has also made permanent signings, including a new club record for American winger Cole Campbell. The 20‑year‑old spent the last three seasons alternating between Borussia Dortmund’s youth academy and its senior squad before joining Elversberg on a four‑year contract.
“[Cole] was our record signing, which shows how much we believe in him. He’s a fantastic player—very fast, strong with the ball, and excellent in one‑on‑one situations,” Welzmüller added. “He’s a very good kid with great character. We want him to attack one‑on‑one chances and create space for us, and we’re confident he’ll have a breakout season.”
For USMNT fans, a player who can generate his own chances and create opportunities for teammates would be a significant boost to the national side. Campbell’s talent was evident when he moved to Dortmund, and despite that move not working out, he now has a fresh chance to shine with a club committed to its attacking identity in the Bundesliga.
Sources close to Campbell say he is eager to establish himself in the Bundesliga and fulfill his personal ambitions, confident that Elversberg’s proven player‑development system will help him succeed.
When an Entire Town Stands Behind You, Defeat Is Unlikely
Playing for a town of just 13,000 inhabitants adds a unique dimension to the players’ experience. In 2022, Elversberg was still in the fourth division, but now it is preparing to host Bayer Leverkusen at its home stadium—currently being renovated to meet the Bundesliga’s 15,000‑seat requirement. Ticket availability is extremely limited, making match days among the most exclusive in Germany.
The club came close to promotion in the 2024‑25 season, losing a playoff to Heidenheim in the 95th minute, but bounced back after losing its coach and several key players. “What happened in the last few years was exceptional for the town,” Welzmüller noted. “You see SV Elversberg flags everywhere, people wearing merch and jerseys. It makes me extremely proud, and the players feel the same.”
This community pride is often missing in modern football, where many clubs are viewed as mercenary operations. Elversberg remains modest even by German standards, with a scouting department of only two people. Nonetheless, they have managed to identify players who fit their style and continue building a team that plays an attacking brand of football.
There were debates about whether to change the playing style for Bundesliga survival, but the club decided to stay true to its identity. “We did a huge analysis about whether we should change,” Welzmüller explained. “Numbers might suggest a more direct approach, but we chose to keep our style as part of who we are. We selected players, coaches, and staff who fit this identity, so we can’t change it. We need to play the Elversberg way, and I’m very glad we stuck to it.”
While a fairy‑tale ending isn’t guaranteed, the club’s remarkable journey to the Bundesliga already proves its ability to overcome the odds. Success could make American fans see more of Elversberg, with Campbell potentially becoming a key figure for both the USMNT and the Olympic roster, continuing one of German football’s most inspiring stories.
How to Watch Elversberg vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Date: Saturday, August 29 | Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
Location: URSAPHARM‑Arena an der Kaiserlinde – Spiesen‑Elversberg, Germany
Live stream: Fandango
Odds: Elversberg +425; Draw +333; Bayer Leverkusen –167
