After navigating the challenging waters of the 2. Bundesliga, Hamburger SV and 1. FC Köln have secured their return to Germany`s top flight for the 2025/26 season. Promotion brings renewed hope, familiar rivalries, and crucially, the opportunity for players who excelled in the second tier to prove their mettle on the grander Bundesliga stage. While collective team performance will define their season, the individual brilliance of key players often provides the spark needed for survival and success. Here, we highlight six individuals from these promoted ranks (and key signings) whose performances in the 2. Bundesliga suggest they are well-equipped to make a significant impact.
Jean-Luc Dompé (Hamburger SV)
Hamburger SV`s attacking flair often flowed through the boots of French winger Jean-Luc Dompé. A consistent presence throughout their promotion campaign, Dompé wasn`t just a participant; he was a primary architect. His contribution of 12 assists saw him finish tied as the division`s top provider, a remarkable feat highlighting his vision and delivery. Add to that nine goals, making him a dual threat capable of both creating and finishing chances. His inclination to attack defenses head-on and penchant for whipping in crosses (125 from open play, second-most in the league) make him a predictable, yet often unstoppable force on the left flank. Bundesliga defenders, consider yourselves warned – or perhaps, politely notified – that keeping him quiet will require considerable discipline.
Dompé made the left-wing his own for HSV in 2024/25.
Eric Martel (1. FC Köln)
In the engine room for 1. FC Köln, Eric Martel proved to be the indispensable pivot. The 23-year-old defensive midfielder anchored the team with a maturity that belied his age, featuring in more minutes than any other Köln player, including the custodians. His role extended beyond mere presence; he was a tireless disruptor and connector. Martel`s superhuman work rate saw him cover a division-high 352.3 kilometres, translating into tangible defensive output – the second-most duels won (420) and seventh-most aerial duels won (120) in the league. Yet, his game is not solely about destruction; his pass completion rate of over 91% demonstrates a composure and reliability in possession crucial for transitioning from defense to attack. Martel is the kind of player coaches adore: quietly effective, consistently reliable, and probably slightly underappreciated until you see the stats board.
Marathon man Martel: the young midfielder was everywhere for Cologne last season.
Miro Muheim (Hamburger SV)
While defenders are often lauded for their defensive rigidity, Hamburger SV`s Miro Muheim flips the script. The Swiss international operates primarily at left-back, yet his attacking contribution was nothing short of phenomenal, culminating in an impressive 11 league assists. This figure is not just high for a defender; it`s competitive with many top attacking midfielders. His willingness to push forward, combined with excellent set-piece delivery and a fruitful partnership with Dompé down the left, made HSV`s left flank a constant threat. However, Muheim isn`t just an attacking full-back playing out of position. His commitment to defensive duties is evident in his duel statistics, winning the most of any HSV player (340). He embodies the modern full-back: a key component in initiating attacks immediately after winning the ball. He delivers crosses and tackles with equal gusto.
With 11 assists from left-back, it`s easy to see why Muheim was a fan favourite at HSV last season.
Ragnar Ache (1. FC Köln)
Technically, Ragnar Ache wasn`t promoted *with* 1. FC Köln, but his acquisition from Kaiserslautern makes him arguably their most significant attacking reinforcement. The striker was a revelation in the 2. Bundesliga, bagging 18 goals in just 30 appearances – placing him joint-third in the scoring charts. Ache wasn`t shy about testing opposition goalkeepers, leading the league in shots with 106. Standing at 6’0”, he offers a formidable presence in the box, proven by winning 131 aerial duels. His ability to score with both feet and his head provides Köln with a versatile and potent threat up front. Cologne fans will be hoping he can replicate his second-tier form and provide the clinical edge needed in the Bundesliga, transforming shots into crucial top-flight goals.
Rayan Philippe (Hamburger SV)
Similar to Ache, Rayan Philippe joins Hamburger SV after impressing elsewhere in the 2. Bundesliga, specifically at Eintracht Braunschweig. While Braunschweig struggled offensively, scoring only 38 goals all season (the third-lowest tally), Philippe managed to stand out by contributing directly to half of them. His 13 goals (joint-eighth highest in the league) and six assists for a team battling at the wrong end of the table speak volumes about his individual quality. Philippe is known for scoring memorable goals, and perhaps scoring three times in two games against HSV last season was his most effective application for a transfer. Now, wearing the HSV colours, he has the platform to demonstrate that his second-tier heroics can translate to the highest level, hopefully benefiting from a more potent attacking setup.
Linton Maina (1. FC Köln)
Returning to the Bundesliga with FC Cologne, Linton Maina is a familiar face bringing valuable top-flight experience to the squad. The attacking midfielder proved to be the true creative hub for Köln in the 2. Bundesliga, leading their assist charts with 11 – the joint-third most in the entire division. Beyond his playmaking abilities, Maina added three goals, providing a respectable attacking return. At 5’8” with a low centre of gravity, he is a supremely technical dribbler capable of navigating tight spaces. Coupled with explosive pace (clocking the 11th fastest sprint in the league last season at 35.87 km/h), Maina possesses the attributes to trouble Bundesliga defenses. His experience and directness make him a vital asset for Köln`s attacking transitions.
Maina was the true creative spark behind Cologne`s ever-rotating forward line.
These six players represent a blend of established second-tier stars and exciting prospects. Their transition to the Bundesliga will be a key narrative to follow during the 2025/26 season. For Hamburger SV and 1. FC Köln, the success of their return campaign may well hinge on how effectively these individuals can step up and perform against Germany`s elite. The spotlight is on; let`s see who shines brightest.
