Borussia Mönchengladbach’s new signing, Jens Castrop, has suffered a serious injury that could delay his much-anticipated Bundesliga debut. Currently playing for 1. FC Nürnberg, Castrop was stretchered off early during Saturday’s 2. Bundesliga clash against SC Paderborn. The following day, Nürnberg confirmed the severity of the injury: a partial tear of the lateral ligament in his right knee.
This unfortunate setback could keep the 21-year-old midfielder out of action for the remainder of the 2025 calendar year. It’s a crushing blow for a young player who was enjoying a breakout season and had recently secured a move to one of Germany’s top-tier clubs. Castrop was seen as one of the rising stars of the second division and had become a key figure in Nürnberg’s campaign.
His injury also delivers a significant blow to Germany’s U21 national team ahead of the upcoming UEFA U21 European Championship in June. Although Castrop didn’t feature prominently in the last international break, his club form had been turning heads. With three goals and four assists in 25 league appearances, the attack-minded midfielder had doubled his market value—from €3 million to €6 million—within just a season.
Mönchengladbach had recognized his potential early, securing his future for a reported €4.5 million during the January transfer window. Castrop was expected to be a valuable addition to their midfield setup moving forward.
Now, both his new club and the national team will have to adjust their plans without him. The focus for Castrop will shift to recovery and rehabilitation, with hopes that he can return stronger in 2026. For now, though, his promising rise takes an unfortunate pause.
— GGFN | Peter Weis
