Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Jens Castrop faces several months on the sidelines after the Bundesliga club confirmed that the South Korean international requires surgery on his injured shoulder. Castrop dislocated his shoulder during Gladbach's pre-season friendly against FC Rottach-Egern and subsequently returned to his club's headquarters for further examinations.
Those examinations have now delivered the worst-case scenario. Gladbach confirmed on Saturday that the 23-year-old will undergo surgery in the coming days and will be unavailable for several months. Gladbach have not provided a specific timetable for Castrop's return.
Gladbach secured Castrop from 1. FC Nürnberg for a reported €4.5m in February 2025, several months before the midfielder was due to actually arrive at Borussia Park. The Köln academy product had developed into one of Nürnberg's most important players under Miroslav Klose and was regarded as a relatively rare box-to-box midfield profile.
His final months in Franconia nevertheless ended painfully. Castrop suffered a partial tear of the lateral ligament in his right knee during an April 2025 2. Bundesliga fixture against Paderborn. The midfielder required a stretcher and early fears suggested that he could face an extremely lengthy absence.
The diagnosis ultimately proved less devastating than initially feared. Castrop recovered in time to participate in Gladbach's preparations and gradually worked his way into Bundesliga football.
Get German Football News' 2025/26 Borussia Mönchengladbach tactical preview noted that Castrop had already returned to midfield action during pre-season despite the initial concerns surrounding his knee.
Castrop's first Gladbach season also demonstrated that the qualities which originally attracted Borussia extended well beyond his preferred central-midfield position. The former Nürnberg professional featured across several midfield axes and later proved surprisingly effective as a wing-back under Eugen Polanski.
That versatility became increasingly important as Gladbach's turbulent 2025/26 season developed. Castrop eventually established himself as one of the more successful additions from the club's final transfer planning under former sporting director Roland Virkus. His career simultaneously took another significant turn internationally.
After representing Germany through youth level, Castrop elected to switch allegiance to South Korea , for whom he qualifies through his mother. Castrop subsequently spoke extensively about his decision to represent South Korea , explaining his connection with both countries, his attempts to learn Korean and the cultural adjustment involved in joining the Taeguks.
The move quickly resulted in senior international football and provided another indication of how far Castrop had progressed after the knee injury threatened his upward trajectory only months earlier.
The new shoulder injury is entirely unrelated to Castrop's previous knee problems, but the consequences are once again considerable. Rather than preparing to build upon a season in which he proved capable of filling several roles, Castrop must now spend the opening months of the new campaign rehabilitating from surgery.
His absence also removes one of Gladbach's more flexible personnel options. Castrop can operate centrally as a six or eight and demonstrated last season that he can also cover wider positions when required.
Much will depend upon Castrop's recovery following surgery and how quickly he can return to full contact training. Gladbach's decision not to specify an exact timeframe also suggests that patience will be required.
Gladbach sporting director Rouven Schröder expressed his disappointment while wishing Castrop a swift recovery.
"This is bitter news for all of us," Schröder said. "Now we hope for a good and speedy recovery so that Jens can subsequently rejoin the competition for places."
