Why Reigan Heskey Chose Bundesliga Over Man City: Emile Heskey Explains Son's Move
At just 18 years old, Reigan Heskey has departed Manchester City to pursue his career in the Bundesliga. His father, former Liverpool and England striker Emile Heskey, shared insights with GOAL about why this move made sense for his son. Reigan, a promising forward who has impressed at England's U18 level, is following a path similar to that of Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham, both of whom left England for German clubs early in their careers.
The Heskey Brothers at Manchester City
Reigan and his brother Jaden Heskey were both part of City's academy. Jaden spent last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday. Despite being highly regarded, breaking into City's first team remains tough. With limited opportunities, Reigan decided the summer of 2026 was the right moment to explore a new environment far from his comfort zone.
Following the Bundesliga Trail
Reigan is not the first English talent to seek growth in Germany. Sancho moved to Borussia Dortmund in 2017 after time at City, and three years later Bellingham joined Dortmund as well. Jude’s younger brother, Jobe Bellingham, has also made that journey. Reigan, who made one appearance in the Carabao Cup for City, has now signed for FC Köln. The transfer could eventually be worth up to £8 million ($11 million) including add-ons.
Why Bundesliga? Emile Heskey Weighs In
“I think at 17, 18, if you’re ready to play first-team football and you’re not getting that, and you inevitably won’t get it in England, you’ve got to go somewhere where there’s a proven track record. Germany looks like there’s a proven track record,” said Emile Heskey while speaking with Premier League betting site BetWright.
“Our youth system, in terms of youth internationals, we have fantastic players. The Germans see that repeatedly in their players. Why aren’t we given those chances in England? We shouldn’t always have to go abroad—to Germany, Belgium, France—but that’s what's happening. England buys young players from these countries, yet our own talented youngsters are missing out.”
“Take Marc Guehi—he was at Chelsea but had to leave to get playing time. Others find opportunities in their home countries. England has the biggest league, maybe the best, but our kids rarely get a chance. My son Jaden will soon be 20 or 21. I left for Liverpool at 22 after five seasons at Leicester. Too many young players miss critical development years at 18, 19, 20 by playing only in the U21s, which doesn’t give much experience aside from a couple of EFL Trophy games.”
Reigan’s Experience and Future Prospects
Last season, Reigan appeared twice in the EFL Trophy for City against Bolton and Rotherham. His sole senior outing came late in a Carabao Cup match versus Huddersfield, entering with seven minutes left. The Bundesliga promises more consistent playing time. Reigan’s performances at the 2025 U17 World Cup, where he netted four goals, caught attention across Europe. Now, he embraces the chance to prove himself in Germany after limited faith at City.
- Premier League: Manchester City (MCI)
- Date: 23 Aug 2026
- Upcoming Match: AFC Bournemouth (BOU)
- DFB-Pokal: Würzburger Kickers (WUK)
- Match Date: 24 Aug 2026
- New Club: FC Köln (KOE)
