Jens Castrop is one of the most talked-about young midfielders in the Bundesliga — and the face of a new era for South Korean football.
This article breaks down his net worth, salary at Borussia Mönchengladbach, career earnings, and the contract that confirmed his rise.
Jens Castrop’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jens Castrop |
| Date of Birth | July 29, 2003 |
| Age | 22 |
| Nationality | South Korean / German |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Position | Central Midfielder / Wing-Back |
| Current Club | Borussia Mönchengladbach |
| Turned Professional | 2020 |
| Net Worth | ~$1.5 million (estimated) |
| Annual Salary | ~€1,130,000 (estimated gross) |
| Relationship Status | Private |
Early Life and Career
Jens Castrop was born on July 29, 2003, in Düsseldorf, Germany, and grew up in a bicultural household — his father is German and his mother is South Korean.
That dual identity would come to define not only his personal story but his entire football career.
Castrop’s route into football was unusually self-directed. His parents had no connection to the sport, and he ended up joining SV Lohausen simply because it was the local club near his home.
Düsseldorf’s large Asian community — including Korean, Japanese, and Chinese residents — gave the city a multicultural atmosphere that shaped his early years.
From Lohausener SV, Castrop moved to the academy of Fortuna Düsseldorf, and then in 2015 transferred to 1. FC Köln, where he played for the club’s under-15 and under-17 teams.
He spent six years developing in Köln’s system, establishing himself as a technically gifted, hard-working midfielder.
In August 2020, Castrop was promoted to Köln’s first-team squad by manager Markus Gisdol and signed a long-term professional contract until June 2023.
He featured primarily for FC Köln II in the Regionalliga West, scoring 2 goals in 20 appearances, but never broke into the senior Bundesliga squad.
Throughout his youth career, Castrop also represented Germany at various age-group levels, from the under-16 through to the under-21 team — a remarkable achievement for a player who would later make a historic choice to represent another nation entirely.
Professional Career
In January 2022, Castrop joined 2. Bundesliga side 1. FC Nürnberg on loan, and that move proved transformative.
Under head coach Miroslav Klose during the 2024-25 season, he started all 17 fixtures and became one of Nürnberg’s most important players.
The loan was extended and eventually made permanent. In June 2023, Nürnberg activated a €450,000 option to sign Castrop on a permanent basis from Köln.
He played 73 competitive games for Nürnberg across two full seasons, contributing regularly with goals and assists from central midfield. His performances drew attention from clubs higher up the German football pyramid.
In the summer of 2025, Borussia Mönchengladbach officially confirmed his signing on a four-year deal, with a reported transfer fee of €4.5 million, plus performance bonuses and add-ons.
At Mönchengladbach, he wears the number 17 shirt and has quickly established himself in the Bundesliga starting lineup.
On the international stage, Castrop’s story took an even more dramatic turn. He became South Korea’s first-ever foreign-born senior international of mixed-race heritage when he debuted for the country in 2025.
FIFA approved the allegiance switch in August 2025, and within weeks, Castrop came off the bench to make his senior debut in a 2–0 win over the United States.
He became the first foreign-born mixed-heritage player ever named to a South Korean World Cup squad — a historic milestone that cemented his place as a symbol of a more globally inclusive Korean football identity.
In the 2025–26 Bundesliga season, Castrop recorded 26 appearances, 3 goals, and 1 assist.
Jens Castrop’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Jens Castrop’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $1.5 million.
He built this wealth through his professional contracts in Germany’s 2. Bundesliga with 1. FC Nürnberg and his current Bundesliga deal with Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Contract
Jens Castrop holds a contract with Borussia Mönchengladbach in the 1. Bundesliga with approximately 4 years and €4,520,000 remaining, expiring on June 30, 2029.
The deal includes performance bonuses and add-ons not publicly specified at the time of signing.
According to Capology’s Bundesliga salary database, the contract runs through the 2028–29 season, making Castrop a long-term fixture in Gladbach’s midfield plans.
The club committed to him ahead of his first full Bundesliga campaign, a sign of how highly they rate him.
Salary
Castrop earns an estimated gross fixed salary of €1,130,000 per year with Borussia Mönchengladbach. That works out to roughly €21,700 per week on base pay — a substantial step up from his 2. Bundesliga earnings at Nürnberg.
For context, this places him in the mid-range bracket among Bundesliga midfielders of his age and experience level.
As his profile grows — especially following his World Cup participation with South Korea — a salary renegotiation or transfer interest from larger clubs is a realistic possibility before his deal expires.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | League | Est. Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | FC Köln II | Regionalliga West | ~€60,000 |
| 2021–22 | FC Köln II / FC Nürnberg (loan) | Regionalliga / 2. Bundesliga | ~€100,000 |
| 2022–23 | 1. FC Nürnberg | 2. Bundesliga | ~€350,000 |
| 2023–24 | 1. FC Nürnberg | 2. Bundesliga | ~€500,000 |
| 2024–25 | 1. FC Nürnberg | 2. Bundesliga | ~€600,000 |
| 2025–26 | Borussia Mönchengladbach | Bundesliga | ~€1,130,000 |
Endorsements
He is represented by sports agency 11WINS, as noted in his Transfermarkt profile, but no commercial partnerships have been disclosed.
Given his historic World Cup appearance with South Korea and his growing visibility across both European and Asian football markets, brand interest — particularly from Korean and German sports companies — is likely to emerge in the near future.
His profile is rising fast, and his dual-nationality story gives him a unique marketability that few Bundesliga players possess.
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | FC Köln II / Nürnberg (loan) | Regionalliga / 2. Bundesliga | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022–23 | 1. FC Nürnberg | 2. Bundesliga | 29 | 2 | 2 |
| 2023–24 | 1. FC Nürnberg | 2. Bundesliga | 27 | 2 | 4 |
| 2024–25 | 1. FC Nürnberg | 2. Bundesliga | 25 | 3 | 3 |
| 2025–26 | Borussia Mönchengladbach | Bundesliga | 26 | 3 | 1 |
| Total | 112+ | 10+ | 10+ |
FAQs
What is Jens Castrop’s net worth?
Jens Castrop’s estimated net worth is approximately $1.5 million. He earned this through his professional contracts in Germany’s 2. Bundesliga and his current Bundesliga deal with Borussia Mönchengladbach.
How much does Jens Castrop earn per year?
Castrop earns an estimated gross fixed salary of €1,130,000 per year with Borussia Mönchengladbach, based on available contract data. That works out to roughly €21,700 per week before taxes and deductions.
Which club does Jens Castrop play for?
Castrop plays for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga. He joined the club on July 1, 2025, and his contract runs until June 30, 2029.
Why did Jens Castrop choose South Korea over Germany?
Castrop described the switch as listening to his heart rather than chasing honor or conditions. Born to a South Korean mother and a German father, he felt a deep personal connection to Korean identity and made a formal FIFA application to change his allegiance in 2025.
What is Jens Castrop’s market value?
Castrop’s current Transfermarkt market value stands at €10 million, up significantly from the €4.5 million transfer fee Mönchengladbach paid for him just one year earlier. His strong Bundesliga performances and World Cup selection have driven that upward movement.
