Jens Castrop
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 29 July 2003 | ||
| Place of birth | Düsseldorf, Germany | ||
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)[1] | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Borussia Mönchengladbach | ||
| Number | 17 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2015 | Fortuna Düsseldorf | ||
| 2015–2020 | 1. FC Köln | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2023 | 1. FC Köln II | 20 | (2) |
| 2022–2023 | → 1. FC Nürnberg (loan) | 34 | (2) |
| 2022 | → 1. FC Nürnberg II (loan) | 7 | (1) |
| 2023–2025 | 1. FC Nürnberg | 52 | (5) |
| 2025– | Borussia Mönchengladbach | 11 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2018 | Germany U16 | 2 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | Germany U17 | 6 | (0) |
| 2020 | Germany U18 | 2 | (1) |
| 2021–2022 | Germany U19 | 6 | (1) |
| 2022–2023 | Germany U20 | 6 | (0) |
| 2024–2025 | Germany U21 | 4 | (0) |
| 2025– | South Korea | 5 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 13 December 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 18 November 2025 | |||
Jens Castrop (Korean: 옌스 카스트로프; born 29 July 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach. Born in Germany, he plays for the South Korea national team.
Club career
A native of Düsseldorf, Castrop began his career in the youth academy of Fortuna Düsseldorf. In 2015, he transferred to the academy of Düsseldorf's rival, 1. FC Köln, where he played for the club's under-15 and under-17 teams. In August 2020, Castrop was promoted to the club's first team by manager Markus Gisdol. He also signed a long-term professional contract until June 2023.[2]
In January 2022, it was announced that Castrop would join 2. Bundesliga club 1. FC Nürnberg on a loan deal.[3] In June 2023, the club activated a €450,000 option to sign Castrop on a permanent basis.[4] At Nürnberg, he was deployed on the right flank in the midfield or the defensive line during the 2022–23 season,[5] moved to central midfield the next season,[6] and performed the role of left attacking midfielder in 2025.[7]
On 2 February 2025, Castrop signed a four-season contract with Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach, beginning in the 2025–26 season.[8] On 27 September, he scored his first Bundesliga goal in a 6–4 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt.[9] Borussia had a hard time without a win at the bottom of the league early in the season, but he was named the club's Player of the Month for September.[10] On 25 October, he received his first red card at the Bundesliga after tackling Luis Díaz in a 3–0 loss to Bayern Munich.[11]
International career
Castrop was born in Germany to a German father and South Korean mother.[12] He played for Germany national youth teams at between under-16 and under-21 level before being affiliated to Korea Football Association.[13] His request to switch international allegiance to South Korea was approved by FIFA on 11 August 2025,[14][15] and he was called up to the South Korea national team for friendlies held in September.[16] On 6 September, he came on as a 63rd-minute substitute in a 2–0 win over the United States, making his senior international debut.[17]
Style of play
A utility player, Castrop is talented in both attack and defense, and can be deployed in any midfield position as well as the right side of the defensive line. An energetic player, he can give vitality to the team, but frequently collects a card after his rough challenges.[18]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played on 13 December 2025[19]
| Club | Season | League | DFB-Pokal | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| 1. FC Köln II | 2020–21 | Regionalliga West | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | 5 | 0 | |||
| 2021–22 | Regionalliga West | 15 | 2 | — | — | — | 15 | 2 | ||||
| Total | 20 | 2 | — | — | — | 20 | 2 | |||||
| 1. FC Nürnberg (loan) | 2021–22 | 2. Bundesliga | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23 | 2. Bundesliga | 29 | 2 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 33 | 2 | |||
| Total | 34 | 2 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 38 | 2 | ||||
| 1. FC Nürnberg II (loan) | 2021–22 | Regionalliga Bayern | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | 7 | 1 | |||
| 1. FC Nürnberg | 2023–24 | 2. Bundesliga | 27 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 28 | 2 | ||
| 2024–25 | 2. Bundesliga | 25 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 26 | 3 | |||
| Total | 52 | 5 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 54 | 5 | ||||
| Borussia Mönchengladbach | 2025–26 | Bundesliga | 11 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 13 | 1 | ||
| Career total | 124 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 132 | 11 | ||
International
- As of match played 18 November 2025
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 2025 | 5 | 0 |
| Total | 5 | 0 | |
References
- ^ Jens Castrop at kicker (in German)
- ^ "Köln bindet 17-jährigen Castrop: "Weg, an den ich glaube"". kicker. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
- ^ "1. FC Nürnberg leiht Jens Castrop vom 1. FC Köln aus" (in German). Bundesliga. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
- ^ "Nürnberg zieht Kaufoption bei Castrop – Kontert Köln?". Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger (in German). 19 June 2023.
- ^ "Jens Castrop | Spielerpositionen | 1. FC Nürnberg | 2. Bundesliga 2022/23" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
- ^ "Jens Castrop | Spielerpositionen | 1. FC Nürnberg | 2. Bundesliga 2023/24" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
- ^ "Jens Castrop | Spielerpositionen | 1. FC Nürnberg | 2. Bundesliga 2024/25" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
- ^ "Jens Castrop to join Borussia ahead of 2025/26 season". Borussia Mönchengladbach. 2 February 2025. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ "Borussia Mönchengladbach - Eintracht Frankfurt | 2025/26 Season". Bundesliga. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ^ "Jens Castrop is Borussia's Player of the Month for September". Borussia Mönchengladbach. 1 October 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Gladbach's Jens Castrop apologetic for red card in loss to Bayern Munich". Bavarian Football Works. 26 October 2025. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
- ^ "FIFA approve Jens Castrop's switch of allegiance to South Korea". Get German Football News. 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Jens Castrop – Spielerprofil". DFB. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
- ^ "FIFA Change of Association Platform". FIFA. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "FIFA bestätigt: Castrop wechselt Verband und hofft auf Einsätze mit Son" (in German). kicker. 12 August 2025.
- ^ '카스트로프 발탁' 남자 A대표팀, 9월 A매치 명단 발표 (in Korean). KFA. 25 August 2025. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
- ^ "S. Korea beat U.S. in men's football friendly behind Son's goal, assist". Yonhap News Agency. 7 September 2025. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ '멀티 포지션 가능한 파이터형 미드필더' 카스트로프, 최대 약점은 '빈번한 카드 수집'...코치진 지도 필수. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Osen. 28 August 2025. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
- ^ Jens Castrop at Soccerway
External links
- Jens Castrop at Soccerway
