Bundesliga Update: SC Paderborn signs goalkeeper Nahuel Noll, BVB considers departure of Cole Campbell, and Bayer Leverkusen extends contract with talent Culbreath

SC Paderborn 07 has made an important transfer by loaning 23-year-old goalkeeper Nahuel Noll from Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim. Noll, who last season was already the first-choice goalkeeper for 2. Bundesliga side Hannover 96, making 34 league appearances and one DFB-Pokal appearance, is set to strengthen the defense at the Sportclub. Sebastian Lange, Managing Director of Sport at Paderborn, said: "We are delighted that Nahuel has chosen our Sportclub; he fits very well with our philosophy. Nahuel has gained a lot of playing experience at a high level in recent years and has shown that he has enormous qualities. His ability with the ball at his feet is excellent, and he also impresses with his strong presence and command of the penalty area."

Nahuel Noll was born in 2003 in Munich and came through the youth ranks at FT Gern, TSV 1860 Munich, and from 2019 onwards at TSG Hoffenheim. There, he gained experience in the U17 and U19 teams as well as with the second team in the Regionalliga Südwest. His career also includes loan spells at Greuther Fürth and Hannover 96, with appearances in the 2. Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal. Additionally, he represented the German U19 and U20 national teams as a goalkeeper.

While Paderborn strengthens its squad with a new goalkeeper, Borussia Dortmund may be facing the departure of Cole Campbell. The 20-year-old winger, who most recently played on loan at TSG Hoffenheim, is apparently no longer part of BVB’s long-term plans. According to Sky, newly promoted Bundesliga side SV Elversberg is showing interest in Campbell and is currently exploring a transfer. A permanent move is preferred, but a loan deal could also be an option. In addition to Elversberg, Celtic Glasgow has also expressed interest. Dortmund’s management wants to secure a buy-back clause or a sell-on fee in case of a sale.

Meanwhile, Bayer 04 Leverkusen has provided much more certainty by extending the contract of Montrell Culbreath. The club had already signed the promising offensive player to a contract running until June 2030 in January 2026, but now his contract has been extended until June 30, 2031. Culbreath, 18 years old and promoted to the senior squad, has already proven himself in the 2025/26 season with 16 competitive appearances in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League, scoring one goal. Bayer’s Director of Sport, Simon Rolfes, praised: "The further extension of the contract is a clear sign of our satisfaction with Montrell. We are very pleased that he has made the leap into professional football and seized his opportunity with energy."

The young right-footed player himself commented on his career progress: "I believed in myself a lot – the fact that it happened so quickly is fantastic. I won’t rest on my laurels now; I’ll keep giving it my all." Bayer Director Kim Falkenberg also highlighted Culbreath’s attitude: "Montrell has invested a lot, listened well, and always shown great willingness to perform and learn."

Away from the current transfers and contract talks, German football bids farewell to a Bundesliga icon: Manfred Ritschel, who once played 231 Bundesliga games for Borussia Dortmund, Kickers Offenbach, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, and Schalke 04, passed away shortly after his 80th birthday. Ritschel also made three international appearances for Germany and scored a European Championship qualifying goal from the penalty spot against Bulgaria. His career began at Jahn Regensburg, followed by a move to Borussia Dortmund, where he played until their relegation in 1972. His best years were at Kickers Offenbach, where he was part of a strong attacking trio and shone in a memorable 6-0 victory against Bayern Munich on the first matchday of the 1974/75 season.