Reigan Heskey leaves Man City for Cologne in £8m deal
Reigan Heskey has completed a transfer from Manchester City to Bundesliga side Cologne in a deal worth up to £8m. The 18-year-old forward, son of ex-England striker Emile Heskey, leaves City seeking first-team football after his senior debut in the Carabao Cup and an FA Youth Cup-winning goal last season.
Key Takeaways
- Reigan Heskey has joined Cologne from Manchester City in a deal reported as worth up to £8m.
- The 18-year-old is the son of former England striker Emile Heskey and made his senior City debut in the Carabao Cup.
- City retain sell-on and buy-back clauses, plus matching rights if another club bids for him.
- He has signed with FC Koln until 2030, with an option for a further year.
- Heskey is the second City player to move to Cologne this summer after Jahmai Simpson-Pusey.
According to BBC Sport, Cologne have signed the young attacker from Manchester City in a deal worth up to £8m. Sky Germany, cited by The Sun, reported a fee of £1.7m for the move.
Sources say the switch will help Heskey develop through regular first-team minutes in one of Europe's top five leagues. For more transfer and match coverage alerts, see our Streaming & TV Alerts section.
Why did Reigan Heskey leave Manchester City?
Heskey said he was keen to join 1. FC Koln to take the next step in his career. He added that talks with the club convinced him his style of play is a strong fit, and that he is ready for the Bundesliga challenge.
Last season he made his senior debut for City in the Carabao Cup. He also scored the winning goal in the FA Youth Cup final as City beat rivals Manchester United.
What do Cologne get in the Reigan Heskey deal?
Managing director Thomas Kessler described Heskey as one of the most exciting attacking talents in his age group after strong development at City. Kessler highlighted pace, physical strength, an eye for goal, and the ability to play in several positions.
Kessler and sporting director Tim Stiedten, formerly of West Ham, helped persuade Heskey over other interested clubs. Koln finished 14th in the Bundesliga last season, three points above the relegation play-off place, and have added Heskey to manager René Wagner's squad.
How are Manchester City protected in the transfer?
BBC Sport reports that the agreement includes sell-on and buy-back clauses for City. City also hold matching rights should another club make a bid for Heskey in future.
Heskey follows centre-back Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, who joined Cologne permanently last month. Emile Heskey won 62 England caps and scored in the famous 5-1 win over Germany in 2001. His son now begins his senior club chapter in Germany under a contract running to 2030, with an option for one more year.