Hoffenheim Pass on Cole Campbell With €7 Million Buy Option

TSG Hoffenheim have passed on the chance to make cole campbell’s move permanent, ending his short loan spell and sending the United States attacker back to Borussia Dortmund. Hoffenheim decided the €7 million plus bonuses option was too high, and Campbell will return with a contract that runs until 2028.

Campbell’s Hoffenheim spell

Campbell joined Hoffenheim in January, but a serious ankle injury a week later slowed the move almost immediately. He later spent time with Hoffenheim’s second team to get back to full fitness before making six cameo appearances in the Bundesliga.

Those brief outings were never enough to turn the loan into a longer stay. Hoffenheim finished fifth and will play in next season’s Europa League, yet the club still declined to spend on a permanent transfer for a winger they had only recently brought in.

Dortmund contract runs to 2028

The decision sends Campbell back to Borussia Dortmund with his long-term future still tied to the club through 2028. Kicker indicated the most likely outcome is a permanent departure from Dortmund this summer, which leaves his next move dependent on whether another club steps in.

Christian Ilzer now moves on from a loan that was interrupted by injury and never fully settled. Hoffenheim are expected to sign attacking players, and they may also accept a big offer for Bazoumana Touré, so Campbell’s exit fits a wider reshaping of their attack rather than a stand-alone call.