Paderborn 2026/27 season preview: Can Ralf Kettemann's underdogs avoid the drop?
Paderborn are back in the Bundesliga for the third time in 2026/27. Having never lasted more than a year in the big time, will it be third time's the charm after Ralf Kettemann's men earned their place by beating Wolfsburg in the play-off?
Paderborn
2026/27 finish: 3rd in Bundesliga 2
Pre-season results: 18-0 win vs. Blau-Weiss Ostenland, 3-2 win vs. Hannover, 3-1 win vs. Okayama, 2-0 loss vs. Magdeburg, 2-1 win vs. Southampton, 2-0 win vs. Osnabrück, 2-2 draw vs. Werder Bremen
First three fixtures: Mainz (A), Freiburg (H), Borussia Dortmund (A)
What to expect?
Paderborn are back in the Bundesliga after six seasons in the second tier of German football. Promotion was hard-fought, as they got the better of Wolfsburg in a tense relegation play-off to become the 18th - and final - side to confirm their Bundesliga spot for the 2026/27 term.
Watch: Paderborn 2-1 Wolfsburg - highlights
Head coach Ralf Kettemann's team impressed throughout their promotion campaign, combining intense football, high work rate and a clear game plan. They also boasted the third-best attack in the league, ultimately missing out on the automatic promotion spot (to Elversberg) on goal difference alone.
However, with a young squad and key players like Mika Baur and Calvin Brackelmann leaving the club over the summer, they arguably face the toughest task of all three newly promoted clubs to remain in the top flight.
Key new signing: Gabriel Vidović
In an attempt to replace what they lost in this window, Paderborn have brought in Vidović from Dinamo Zagreb. The 22-year-old is expected to contribute with both goals and assists, after notching a combined 12 in the Croatian top flight last term. He is also no stranger to the German game, having started his career with Bayern Munich, making eight appearances for the senior side and one on loan at Mainz.
See all Paderborn's summer comings and goings here
“We're delighted that Gabriel has chosen to join us," said Paderborn sporting director Sebastian Lange. "His record speaks for itself. He's versatile, technically superb and also excels in dribbling and finishing. In recent years, he's also gained experience at an international level and will enrich our attack.”
Vidović enjoyed a fine start to life at the club, scoring on his debut against Phoenix Lübeck in the DFB Cup first round.
Key player: Laurin Curda
Especially given the exits over the past couple of months, Curda remains a vital member of Kettemann's squad heading into the new campaign.
The German midfielder was instrumental in Paderborn's promotion charge, chipping in with seven goals from his 32 league appearances, including the match-winner against Wolfsburg in the play-off second leg. At the club since 2023, he is also one of the side's established leaders and will be relied upon even more this term.
Check out Paderborn's new jerseys for 2026/27
Talking point
The youthful nature of Kettemann's side could very well become a topic of discussion as the season progresses. His squad's average age last season was just 24.7 years old - the second youngest in Bundesliga 2. It will again be among the freshest in the top flight this term, with only three of their 14 new arrivals aged 26 or older.
That isn't to say youth is inherently a net negative for Paderborn, who have been steadfast in their commitment to the development of young players in recent years. The only question is whether this strategy is conducive to staying amongst the elite, which is the club's main objective over the next 10 months.
Follow Paderborn's Bundesliga opener at Mainz here!
