Some bonds never fade, no matter how much time passes. When Kevin Kampl suddenly walked out on stage at our season-opening event, a huge cheer erupted across the Festwiese. And 'Kevko' himself quickly realised that, in a way, he never really left.
“It’s wonderful to be back. It feels like coming home,” said the 35-year-old as he looked out at so many familiar faces. Kevin spent eight and a half years in an RBL shirt, making 283 competitive appearances and sharing some of the greatest moments in our club’s history with the Red Bulls.
After a few months away, Kevko is now back in Leipzig. He speaks openly about a difficult period in his life, feeling refreshed again and the possibility that his next chapter could even begin back at RBL.
“I’m feeling recharged”
After leaving the club, Kevin initially took some time away and spent plenty of time with his family in Spain. After going through several difficult moments in his personal life, he needed some distance from football and the chance to switch off.
“I needed some time to slow things down a bit. It did me good to recharge and get some energy back,” Kevko explained, drawing supportive applause from the fans.
Now there is renewed enthusiasm in his voice. “I’m someone who wants to give 100 percent to everything I do. I’m feeling recharged and itching to get going again. I’ve got energy and I want to get back into doing something.”
And that could perhaps bring him back to Leipzig: “Doing that here would obviously make a lot of sense.”
A bond that remains
There is nothing to announce just yet. But when Kevko talks about Leipzig, it quickly becomes clear just how much the place means to him. Kevin played more games at the Red Bull Arena than at any other stadium during his career, and he sensed early on that Leipzig could become somewhere special.
“I felt at home straight away – in the city, at the club and with the fans. I’m incredibly grateful to all of you for giving me a home here.”
And it was a home where Kevko made footballing history. He won the DFB-Pokal twice with the Red Bulls, with the first triumph in 2022 holding particularly special memories. Kevin described it as one of the absolute highlights of his career. “That will stay with me forever!”
Kevko’s wish for the new season
And although our former number 44 is no longer out on the pitch himself, Kevko is still keeping a very close eye on the Red Bulls. One belief in particular has never changed: “A few years ago, I said that I believe 100 percent this club will become German champions one day. Of course, I would have loved to experience that as a player, but it wasn’t meant to be.”
Kevin will now be cheering the team on from the sidelines. Above all, he has one message for the squad ahead of the new season: “Stick together when things are going well, but especially when they aren’t. Stay together and it’ll be a great season!”
And who knows: perhaps Kevko will be following the Red Bulls’ next chapter from a little closer to home again before long.
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