Cole Campbell joins Elversberg from Borussia Dortmund in move that highlights crypto-sport sponsorship boom
The 20-year-old American winger's transfer to the newly promoted Bundesliga club comes as digital asset firms increasingly bankroll European football deals
Cole Campbell, the 20-year-old American winger, is leaving Borussia Dortmund for newly promoted Bundesliga side SV 07 Elversberg on a four-year contract running through June 2030. The deal reportedly includes a buy-back clause for Dortmund, with the transfer fee believed to be around €6 million.
The transfer details
Campbell was originally signed by Dortmund in July 2024, arriving as one of several young American prospects making the leap to top-tier European football.
Five Bundesliga appearances. Zero goals.
A loan spell at TSG Hoffenheim during the 2025-26 season produced identical numbers: five appearances, no goals.
Elversberg, freshly promoted to the Bundesliga for the 2026-27 season, beat out Scottish side Celtic to land Campbell’s signature.
Dortmund’s retained buy-back option is the classic big-club insurance policy. If Campbell figures it out in a lower-pressure environment, they can bring him back without competing on the open market.