Reigan Heskey Leaves Man City for Bundesliga Following Paths of Sancho and Bellingham, Says Father Emile

Reigan Heskey, the 18-year-old forward, has departed from Manchester City to seek new opportunities in the Bundesliga. His father, former Liverpool and England striker Emile Heskey, shared with GOAL the reasons behind this decision. Reigan has impressed at the U18 level for England and has chosen to follow the route taken by stars like Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham by moving to Germany.

Brothers Developing at Man City Academy

Both Reigan and his brother Jaden developed within City's academy system. Jaden spent last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday. Despite being highly rated at the club, first-team chances at a Premier League giant like City remain scarce. At some stage, players must consider other options, and Reigan decided summer 2026 was the right moment to explore a different path beyond his familiar environment.

Joining the Ranks of English Talent in Germany

Reigan is not alone in this move; Sancho left City in 2017 for Borussia Dortmund and Bellingham followed three years later, also joining Dortmund. Jude Bellingham’s younger brother, Jobe, has taken a similar step. After making one Carabao Cup appearance for City, Reigan now heads to FC Köln. The transfer could reach £8 million ($11 million) including add-ons.

Reasons Behind Heskey's Switch from Premier League to Bundesliga

"If you're ready for first-team football at 17 or 18 but don't get that chance in England, you have to look elsewhere," said Emile Heskey in association with Premier League betting site BetWright. "Germany shows a proven track record for giving young players opportunities.""Our youth teams have fantastic talent, yet German clubs recognize and utilize these players better. It's puzzling why English clubs don’t provide these chances. We shouldn't need to go abroad — be it Germany, Belgium, or France — but that's the current reality.""We buy young players from Europe, while our own youngsters often miss out on crucial experience at 18, 19, and 20. Players like Marc Guehi had to leave Chelsea to find playing time. Meanwhile, German clubs give their young stars a real shot.""My son Jaden will soon be 20 or 21. I left for Liverpool at 22 after five seasons at Leicester. Our kids are missing important development years playing mostly for under-21s, which offers limited benefit despite competitions like the EFL Trophy."

Reigan's Experience and Expectations in Germany

Reigan appeared twice in the EFL Trophy for City last season, facing Bolton and Rotherham. His only senior outing came as a late substitute in a Carabao Cup match against Huddersfield. Moving to Germany promises more game time for the promising forward who made an impact at the 2025 U17 World Cup with four goals. He is eager to prove himself where trust was limited at Manchester City.

• Premier League Match: Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth, 23 Aug 2026, 15:00
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