Jens Castrop, a 22-year-old midfielder born to a South Korean mother and a German father, has joined Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Mönchengladbach announced on Sunday that they had signed Castrop from 2. Bundesliga (second-division) club Nürnberg. He will join the team after the current season ends and play until 2029.
Castrop’s transfer fee is estimated to be up to 4.5 million euros.
Castrop developed his skills in the youth academy of FC Köln and was recognized as a promising talent, even representing Germany in various youth national teams.
This season, he has played 17 matches for Nürnberg, scoring three goals and providing two assists, establishing himself as a key player. His performances attracted transfer offers from Bundesliga clubs Werder Bremen and Augsburg and Spain’s Sevilla, but he ultimately chose Mönchengladbach as his next destination.
The South Korean national team has also been monitoring him. Former head coach Jürgen Klinsmann had previously sought to bring Castrop into the squad.
Recently, representatives of Hong Myung Bo’s coaching staff, who traveled to Europe, reportedly met with Castrop to discuss his potential inclusion in the South Korean national team.
Since Castrop holds South Korean citizenship and has not yet played an official A-match for Germany, no obstacles prevent him from representing South Korea.