SC Paderborn are continuing to establish themselves in the top flight of the Bundesliga 2. This is partly thanks to two new arrivals from Rot-Weiss Essen and MSV Duisburg.

Karlsruher SC and SC Paderborn have played eight matches in the current season. Both have won four and drawn four, so they have yet to suffer a defeat and can dream of a very successful season early on in the campaign.

While KSC has been dreaming of a sixth return to the Bundesliga since 2009, SCP was promoted to the top division for one year in 2014 and 2019 respectively. Most recently, the East Westphalian second division club once again showed a good nose when looking for new additions in the Ruhr area.

The club quickly homed in on Felix Götze, who had proven himself as a defensive leader at Rot-Weiss Essen in the 3rd division and was striving for greater things. The SCP was able to offer him this prospect, with the newcomer set to organize the defense with the number 20 on his back.

So far, the partnership has been a hit for both sides. Götze is one of the top performers, has played the full distance in each of the eight league games and was also able to score promptly on his debut, even being named player of the match by Kicker.

Another reason for the strong Paderborn restart plays on the pitch one row in front of Götze and was also poached from the area in the summer. Despite the weak season, Santiago Castaneda had made an impression at MSV Duisburg, which was relegated from the third division. The American made his debut for the Zebras at the age of 18 and played in 33 competitive games.

And even the leap to the 2nd Bundesliga does not seem to worry the now 19-year-old. On the contrary, Castaneda is also putting in an impressive performance at SCP. Like Götze, he has been part of the starting eleven in every game so far and scored against Bremer SV (4-0) in the DFB Cup. With an average grade of 2.86 in Kicker magazine, he is one of the best midfielders in the young second division season.

A 3-0 win over Jahn Regensburg saw Paderborn move into a promotion spot, at least temporarily. After the international break, the East Westphalia team will play in a top match: on Saturday evening (October 18, 8:30 p.m.), they will play 1. FC Kaiserslautern on the Betzenberg.