The 2025/26 season finds Borussia Mönchengladbach in a state of determined restoration under the guidance of Gerardo Seoane, the Swiss manager who took the helm in 2023 and has steadily rebuilt the Fohlenelf (Foals) into a genuine European contender. Die Fohlen, playing at the iconic Borussia-Park in the Lower Rhine region, have emerged from the post-Marco Rose and Adi Hütter turbulence, recapturing the attacking verve and tactical sophistication that defined their Champions League qualification campaigns under Lucien Favre. The club’s famous supporter culture, with its passionate Nordkurve, remains one of the Bundesliga’s most atmospheric. This season’s squad reflects Seoane’s tactical vision: technical midfielders, aggressive full-backs, and a fluid attack that prioritises positional rotations and relentless pressing. The summer transfer window saw strategic reinvestment, with Gladbach retaining their core talents while adding youth to complement the experienced spine. Below lies an exhaustive examination of Mönchengladbach’s first-team roster for 2025/26, organised by position, with each player’s journey, financial details, and stylistic fingerprints dissected thoroughly.
Goalkeepers
1. Jonas Omlin
Nationality: Swiss
Former Clubs: FC Luzern, FC Basel, Montpellier
Transfer Fee: €9 million (2023)
Jonas Omlin has become Gladbach’s undisputed number one following his arrival from Montpellier, the Swiss international providing reflexes, command, and distribution that have silenced pre-season sceptics. The 31-year-old’s shot-stopping (76% save percentage in 2024/25, 75% in 2025/26 to date) and command of the penalty area (87% cross-claiming success) have been instrumental in Gladbach’s return to European contention. Omlin’s distribution (88% pass completion) remains functional. Having started 30 league matches in 2025/26, keeping 12 clean seals, he has proven remarkably durable after early career injury concerns. Omlin’s contract runs through 2028, with Gladbach rejecting January 2026 approaches from Premier League clubs. Omlin’s performance against Bayern Munich in November 2025—making 9 saves, including a spectacular double stop—demonstrated his elite quality.
2. Moritz Nicolas
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Borussia Mönchengladbach academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Moritz Nicolas has accepted a rotational role behind Omlin, providing German backup depth, cup competition cover, and homegrown continuity following his graduation from Gladbach’s youth setup. The 28-year-old’s shot-stopping (73% save percentage in limited appearances) and distribution (87% pass completion) provide functional cover. Nicolas started 8 matches in 2025/26 (cup competitions and Omlin’s rest), keeping 3 clean sheets. Nicolas’s contract runs through 2028.
3. Jan Olschowsky
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Borussia Mönchengladbach academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Jan Olschowsky has served as emergency third-choice option following development with Gladbach’s youth setup. The 24-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Defenders
1. Ko Itakura
Nationality: Japanese
Former Clubs: Kawasaki Frontale, Manchester City, FC Groningen (loan), Schalke 04 (loan), Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: €7 million (2022)
Ko Itakura has become Gladbach’s defensive leader and one of the Bundesliga’s most complete centre-backs, the Japanese international providing passing range, tactical intelligence, and recovery pace across four seasons at the club. The 29-year-old’s reading of the game—intercepting passes (2.6 per 90), cutting angles, covering for advancing full-backs—provides defensive security. His right-footed passing (5.3 progressive passes per 90, 91% completion) initiates attacks from deep. Itakura’s aerial duel success (85%) and tackling (2.8 per 90) provide physical presence. His partnership with Nico Elvedi has conceded only 1.05 goals per 90 minutes over the 2025/26 season to date. Itakura’s contract runs through 2029, with Gladbach rejecting January 2026 approaches from Premier League clubs.
2. Nico Elvedi
Nationality: Swiss
Former Clubs: FC Zürich, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: €8 million (2015)
Nico Elvedi has become Itakura’s long-term partner, the Swiss international centre-back providing versatility, aerial presence, and tactical intelligence across 11 seasons at the club. The 29-year-old’s versatility across centre-back and right-back offers Seoane tactical flexibility. Elvedi’s aerial duel success (84%) and tackling (2.7 per 90) provide defensive security. Elvedi’s contract runs through 2028.
3. Luca Netz
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Hertha BSC, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: €5 million (2022)
Luca Netz has become Gladbach’s first-choice left-back, the German defender providing energy, crossing, and defensive improvement across four seasons at the club. The 22-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.9 per 90) and crossing (38% accuracy) created 5 assists in 2025/26. Netz’s contract runs through 2029.
4. Joe Scally
Nationality: American
Former Clubs: New York City FC, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: €2 million (2021)
Joe Scally has become Gladbach’s first-choice right-back, the American international providing pace, crossing, and defensive diligence across five seasons at the club. The 23-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.7 per 90) and crossing (37% accuracy) created 4 assists in 2025/26. Scally’s contract runs through 2029.
5. Marvin Friedrich
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Schalke 04, FC Augsburg, Union Berlin, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: €6 million (2022)
Marvin Friedrich has provided centre-back depth following his arrival from Union Berlin, the German defender offering physicality, aerial presence, and tactical discipline. The 30-year-old’s aerial duel success (85%) and tackling (2.6 per 90) provide functional cover. Friedrich’s contract runs through 2028.
6. Fabio Chiarodia
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Werder Bremen, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: €1.5 million (2023)
Fabio Chiarodia has emerged as a promising centre-back rotation option following his arrival from Werder Bremen, the Italian youth international offering physicality and potential. The 21-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
7. Stefan Lainer
Nationality: Austrian
Former Clubs: FC Liefering, FC Red Bull Salzburg, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: €12 million (2019)
Stefan Lainer’s Gladbach career has been disrupted by serious illness and injuries, yet the Austrian international provides emergency right-back depth when fit. The 33-year-old’s contract expires in 2027.
8. Maximilian Wöber
Nationality: Austrian
Former Clubs: FC Red Bull Salzburg, Sevilla, Leeds United, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: €5 million (2024)
Maximilian Wöber has provided centre-back and left-back depth following his arrival from Leeds United, the Austrian international offering left-footed balance and passing quality. The 27-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Midfielders
1. Julian Weigl (Captain)
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: TSV 1860 Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Benfica (loan), Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: €8 million (2023)
Julian Weigl has become Gladbach’s captain and midfield anchor, the German international providing passing range, tactical intelligence, and composure that have made him indispensable. The 30-year-old’s passing (5.8 progressive passes per 90, 92% completion) and composure under pressure enable Gladbach to build play through midfield. Weigl’s tackling (2.9 per 90) and interceptions (2.4 per 90) provide midfield security. Weigl’s leadership, formalised as club captain, manages Gladbach’s dressing room through professional standards and tactical authority. Weigl’s contract runs through 2029.
2. Franck Honorat
Nationality: French (Martiniquais descent)
Former Clubs: AS Saint-Étienne, Stade Brestois, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: €8 million (2023)
Franck Honorat has become Gladbach’s primary wide creator, the French winger providing pace, crossing, and finishing from the right flank across three seasons at the club. The 29-year-old’s dribbling (3.7 successful take-ons per 90) and finishing (8 goals in 2025/26) provide consistent threat. Honorat’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Alassane Pléa
Nationality: French (Senegalese descent)
Former Clubs: Olympique Lyonnais (youth), SC Freiburg, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: €9 million (2018)
Alassane Pléa has become Gladbach’s versatile attacking option, the French forward providing creativity, finishing, and link-up play from attacking midfield and forward positions across eight seasons at the club. The 32-year-old’s finishing (9 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (7 assists) provide elite production. Pléa’s contract runs through 2028.
4. Florian Neuhaus
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: TSV 1860 Munich, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: €500,000 (2017)
Florian Neuhaus has seen his playing time reduced following the emergence of younger midfielders, yet the German international provides passing quality, creativity, and attacking midfield depth. The 28-year-old’s passing (5.0 progressive passes per 90, 89% completion) and finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) provide functional depth. Neuhaus’s contract runs through 2028.
5. Rocco Reitz
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Borussia Mönchengladbach academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Rocco Reitz has emerged as one of Gladbach’s most promising homegrown midfielders, the 23-year-old providing energy, tackling, and tactical intelligence following his graduation from the academy. Reitz’s work rate (11.6 kilometres per match) and pressing intensity (11.3 pressures per 90) have impressed. Reitz’s contract runs through 2029.
6. Manu Koné
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Toulouse, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: €9 million (2021)
Manu Koné’s Gladbach career has been disrupted by injuries (missed 12 matches in 2025/26), yet the French midfielder provides ball-carrying, physicality, and midfield depth when fit. The 24-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
7. Philipp Sander
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Holstein Kiel, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: €2 million (2024)
Philipp Sander has provided midfield depth following his arrival from Holstein Kiel, the German midfielder offering energy and tactical discipline. The 27-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
8. Shio Fukuda
Nationality: Japanese
Former Clubs: Borussia Mönchengladbach academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Shio Fukuda has been named among the substitutes in 2025/26, the 20-year-old Japanese midfielder representing the future of Gladbach’s midfield depth.
Forwards
1. Tim Kleindienst
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: 1. FC Heidenheim, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: €7 million (2024)
Tim Kleindienst has become Gladbach’s primary attacking weapon, the German striker providing physicality, finishing, and hold-up play across two seasons at the club. The 30-year-old’s finishing (15 goals in 2025/26) and conversion rate (27%) provide consistent scoring threat. Kleindienst’s hold-up play (75% success receiving back to goal) and aerial duel success (84%) occupy defenders, creating space for wingers and midfielders. Kleindienst’s contract runs through 2029.
2. Nathan Ngoumou
Nationality: French (Cameroonian descent)
Former Clubs: Toulouse, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: €8 million (2022)
Nathan Ngoumou has provided wide depth following his arrival from Toulouse, the French-Cameroonian winger offering pace, dribbling, and finishing from the left flank. The 25-year-old’s finishing (7 goals in 2025/26) and dribbling (3.6 successful take-ons per 90) provide functional depth. Ngoumou’s contract runs through 2028.
3. Robin Hack
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: TSV 1860 Munich, 1. FC Nürnberg, DSC Arminia Bielefeld, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: €2 million (2023)
Robin Hack has provided wide and striking depth following his arrival from DSC Arminia Bielefeld, the German forward offering versatility, finishing, and work rate. The 27-year-old’s finishing (6 goals in 2025/26) provides functional depth. Hack’s contract runs through 2028.
4. Grant-Leon Ranos
Nationality: Armenian (German-born)
Former Clubs: Bayern Munich II, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: €2 million (2024)
Grant-Leon Ranos has provided striker depth following his arrival from Bayern Munich II, the Armenian international offering finishing and movement. The 22-year-old’s finishing (4 goals in 2025/26 in limited minutes) suggests potential. Ranos’s contract runs through 2029.
5. Tomáš Čvančara
Nationality: Czech
Former Clubs: Sparta Prague, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: €10 million (2023)
Tomáš Čvančara’s Gladbach career has been disrupted by injuries (missed 10 matches in 2025/26), yet the Czech striker provides emergency forward depth when fit. The 25-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
6. Eren Dinkçi
Nationality: German (Turkish descent)
Former Clubs: Werder Bremen, 1. FC Heidenheim (loan), Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: €4 million (2025)
Eren Dinkçi’s summer 2025 arrival from Werder Bremen added German-Turkish wide depth and physicality to Gladbach’s attack. The 24-year-old’s finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) provides functional depth. Dinkçi’s contract runs through 2029.
7. Jacob Neuhaus
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Borussia Mönchengladbach academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Jacob Neuhaus has been named among the substitutes in 2025/26, the 19-year-old forward representing the future of Gladbach’s attacking depth.
Conclusion
Borussia Mönchengladbach’s 2025/26 squad represents the most balanced and tactically sophisticated group assembled since the Champions League qualification era under Marco Rose, a testament to Gerardo Seoane’s coaching, the recruitment team’s intelligence (Kleindienst, Weigl, Chiarodia), and the academy’s continued production (Reitz, Netz, Nicolas). The defence, anchored by Ko Itakura’s Japanese intelligence and Nico Elvedi’s Swiss versatility, provides platform for Gladbach’s possession-based, attacking system. The midfield, dominated by Julian Weigl’s German composure and Rocco Reitz’s homegrown energy, controls matches through pressing, physicality, and technical quality. The attack, headlined by Tim Kleindienst’s German physicality and Franck Honorat’s French creativity, carries genuine goal threat against any opponent. Crucially, Gladbach has balanced immediate competitiveness with long-term planning; Itakura, Netz, Reitz, and Scally represent significant resale value while contributing immediately. The looming challenge involves maintaining European qualification (Europa League) despite competing with financially superior clubs – and finally translating domestic consistency into silverware, ending a trophy drought stretching back to the 1995 DFB-Pokal. Yet the Borussia-Park’s passionate atmosphere provides emotional fuel. Gladbach no longer surprises opponents; they are respected, studied, and re-established as a genuine Bundesliga force. This squad appears equipped to deliver another European qualification campaign and perhaps a deep cup run. Die Fohlen.
