Football: You will be developed at an authentic Bundesliga club by the club’s infrastructure, coaches, analysts, and medical staff—not at a separate academy or affiliated club, satellite, or independent facilities. The limited roster spots are a unique opportunity, but they also come with added responsibilities in representing the Bundesliga club.

Academics: Through partnerships with American NCAA colleges as well as selected online schools, you can take college credits while in Germany—continuing to progress toward your degree and potentially saving 20K+ on college fees.

Open Door Policy: Players on our recruiting list (meaning they have been evaluated and given the green light) are welcome to visit at any time before making a commitment.

Recruiting can take anywhere from one up to nine months, depending on the current roster and upcoming available roster spots. We recommend starting as soon as possible with the process and having enough time to take care of visa, language preparation, and admission.

After applying through our website, our scouts, along with the European scouts, will select players whom they believe to have high developmental potential.

While our primary focus is on recruiting players from the MLS Next, ECNL, ECNRL, NCAA D1-3, NAIA, and NJCAA D1 levels, we welcome all players to apply. Interested candidates can submit their highlight videos or attend one of our ID showcases.

Our program serves as a pathway to College Soccer or European Academy and Semi/Pro Soccer—where international players have the opportunity to live and train at a professional Bundesliga club and compete against German and selected European clubs. As such, a serious commitment to soccer and your future in the sport is a requirement.

We are seeking talented and dedicated student-athletes committed to their personal and professional growth.

The program is primarily designed to recruit players from the age range of 16-23, and it is best suited for the following groups

• High School Players (age 16-18): Players still in high school focus on developing their game, learning from higher levels of competition, including playing against older opponents, and making connections with the aim of playing semi-pro, professional, or college soccer.
• Gap Year Players (age 18-20): Players who have completed high school focus specifically on gaining exposure and optimizing their recruiting profile and videos to pursue opportunities in semi-pro, professional, or college soccer.
• College or (Semi-) Pro Players (age 20+): Players who already have experience in either the college soccer system or the semi-pro/professional world focus on gaining exposure for potential transfers to semi-pro, professional, or college soccer teams, with or without continuing their degree online.

We partner with NCAA schools and top clubs for our Bundesliga and College Showcases to identify talent suited for the college or professional game.

Click here to find out ID SHOWCASE and CAMP CALENDAR.

The roster size is between 18-24 players.

Each intake (every 3-6 months) has open roster spots, typically between 4-8 players. Additionally, we usually shortlist an additional 2-4 talented players just beyond that, in case of injuries.

Currently, we have an acceptance rate of 6% for complete applications (as of 01/2025) for the Bundesliga Talent Squad.

We highly recommend doing your research in advance about the club and program so you can make a timely decision if you are offered the opportunity, as spots for each season are very limited.

Please note that we do not consider applications without a video or a recruiting questionnaire.

Picture yourself as a gifted player living in California or New York. The nearest MLS club (such as LA Galaxy or NY Red Bulls) or ECNL club is around two hours away, yet all you desire is to train like a professional soccer player.

Now you can make it a reality—in Germany. Selected players represent Bundesliga club FC Köln in the ITP and reside in the city of Cologne, training 5–10 times a week. This experience mirrors the lifestyle of professional football players, including competing against European clubs.

Online schooling options ensure that you can continue your academic pursuits while enjoying the flexibility to train and play during daytime hours.

In summary, integrated academies break down geographical boundaries, allowing players to experience living and training like professional European players in their local environment.

The season starts in July, with additional options to join in October, January, or April. You can join for 3, 6, or 10 months, depending on roster availability.

There will be 2-4 matches per month in the Germany Soccer Academy League (GSA League). Additionally, we occasionally receive invitations to take trips to play against teams from the Premier League in England, La Liga in Spain, or other top leagues in Europe.

Season 25/26

3 months – 16,000 EUR
6 months – 29,000 EUR
Full season – 44,000 EUR

What is included?

• Visa application support
• Performance assessment and athletic testing
• 5 team training days per week
• Video analysis
• Full FC Cologne training and game day gear
• 2-4 games per month
• Visits to first team training sessions
• Stadium tour
• Tickets for selected Bundesliga home games
• Full room & board (accommodation and food)
• Access to public transportation
• Access to all gym/swimming/wellness facilities
• Language school (2-3 days per week)
• Participation certificate
• Personal performance report
• Health, accident, and liability insurance
• Access to 1. FC Köln Bundesliga’s specialists for sports medicine

What is not included?

• Travel to and from Germany is not included.

Yes, the club offers limited scholarships, which can be divided throughout the squad.

Players will be evaluated based on their athletic and academic abilities, character, and financial need.

Payment plans are available upon request.

We recommend applying early to check for available scholarships and payment plans.

Cologne is part of Europe’s most densely populated soccer region!

An impressive 4,260 German clubs within a 2.5-hour drive! Nearby countries like the Netherlands and Belgium are only about 3 hours away.

The region hosts several powerhouse football clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, FC Cologne, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Borussia Monchengladbach, Fortuna Dusseldorf, Bochum, Duisburg, Schalke 04, and Fortuna Cologne. These clubs fiercely compete to attract local talent, creating a nurturing environment where young players from diverse backgrounds can develop and excel.

As an elite program catering to top athletes, players train a minimum of 5-6 days per week.

Here’s an example of a typical week in the life of an Bundesliga Talent Squad player:

Video: Day in the Life

The training will be next to FC Cologne Stadium, the RheinEnergieStadion.

What we can guarantee is access to authentic professional resources and a platform to be in the shopping window for clubs, colleges, and agents – we do not guarantee a professional contract. We can only guarantee that each player will achieve their maximum potential.

Training with accomplished European Bundesliga clubs, following their established methodologies, learning from UEFA-licensed coaches, and connecting with FIFA-licensed agents will undoubtedly enhance your game and individual player growth. This one-of-a-kind opportunity offers the ideal setting for pursuing a professional football career.

Nevertheless, reaching the professional level of such a competitive sport like football can be challenging even for the most talented players.

Our partner academies, clubs, and agents have helped over 100 national and international players who have gone on to compete at the professional level, including the Bundesliga and Champions League. In total, we have a track record of more than 1,000 players and coaches signing contracts at the academy, semi-pro, pro, and collegiate levels!

To represent possible pathways, here is a list of selected US colleges, German clubs, and other academies and companies that our Warubi players and coaches have been a part of!

German clubs seek talented international players for various reasons, such as accessing a worldwide talent pool and obtaining a competitive edge. They understand that soccer is an international sport, with gifted players hailing from all around the world.

Clubs aim to scout young international players within a European soccer environment, providing them with a cost-effective scouting method.

We get many partnership offers each year, but we only choose those that truly benefit the players.

The costs mainly come from three areas. Firstly, many clubs and academies charge high licensing fees, which often fall on the players and their families. These fees can be anywhere from 8,000 to 30,000 EUR each year, and they cover things like the club’s name, staff, facilities, and coaches.

Secondly, living costs like food, housing, transport, healthcare, and academic expenses can add up fast, especially in certain cities. These can cost 15,000 to 25,000 per season.

Finally, agency and recruitment fees can cost 2,000 to 20,000 EUR. So in total, a full season of quality experience could cost between 25,000 to 75,000 EUR. As always, the truth typically lies somewhere in the middle, and anything more expensive may not provide equivalent value.

How do we help with this?

Selective Partnerships: We only work with clubs and academies that are fair and transparent about their pricing. We make sure that you only pay for what you receive, and that every cost is truly accounted for. Our partners offer reasonable prices while still providing all the quality and support you need in order to be successful on and off the field. We only recommend clubs and programs that we believe offer more value than their cost.

Optimized Resources: We also collaborate with various agencies and partners globally to offer their resources at a reduced cost. These partners provide their expertise and experience for a fraction of the typical agency fees! This way, players can access all the necessary resources without having to bear the full cost of agency fees.

Sponsorships and Scholarships: Lastly, our sponsors offer substantial support and scholarships for the very best players. This assistance allows us to pass on these benefits to the players and their families.

A German Soccer Academy can be a great investment and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for every family and player who can afford the costs. You will join a network of professional agents and clubs, improve your soccer skills, learn a new language, and have access to new recruiting opportunities for your player profile (for example, video).

• Imagine receiving a better college scholarship deal by having additional video footage and experience from top German games.
• Imagine signing a pro contract so you can live your dream.
• Imagine finding a job (or a better job) in the future due to your ability to speak multiple languages.
• Imagine finding friends and future business partners from all over the world.

Germany has one of the highest reputations and a transparent league system with promotion and relegation. In just a few months or years, you can add valuable skills to your resume (soccer, language, personality, network, etc.). It has happened before, so why not you?

For young international soccer players, Germany is an ideal country for training.

The German youth development program is considered the best globally from a systematic perspective. Comparing not only the Bundesliga but also the second, third, fourth, and fifth tiers of soccer in Germany, there is a standardized pathway and highly educated coaches.

Germany is the only European country that guarantees a visa for Americans if they receive a contract offer, a benefit not available in other countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Spain, France, and more. Even if a player is talented enough to get a contract offer in those countries, they still face visa challenges. Additionally, there is an easier transition into the German football system, as most Germans speak English.

Upon entering the German soccer system, American youth soccer players often recognize a gap between their daily experiences in the United States and what they might encounter in a more intense environment. Becoming aware of this difference is crucial for players and can lead to significant improvements.

Academics are crucial, as you will be both a student and an athlete!

Each participant must attend German classes (2-3 times per week) while participating in the football school program. Being able to speak the local language will not only increase your chances of playing professional soccer, but it will also have a tremendous impact on future study and job opportunities.

Additionally, each player, depending on their age and graduation timeline, has the option to enroll in online education to earn high school or college credits.

Yes. Our admissions team will guide you through the visa process and enroll you in all necessary language programs.

Absolutely. Our players will be watching professional as well as some youth Bundesliga games.