Manchester City have sold young striker Reigan Heskey to Bundesliga side FC Koln, the German club confirmed. The 18-year-old scored the winning goal in last season's FA Youth Cup final against Manchester United and made his first-team debut for City in the Carabao Cup against Huddersfield.
Transfer Details
Koln paid an initial €2.5m (£2.1m) for Heskey, with add-ons potentially taking the total to €8m (£6.8m). City have inserted a buy-back clause and matching rights into the deal, mirroring the structure of the earlier transfer of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey to the same club.
Koln previously signed Simpson-Pusey from City last month, converting his loan into a permanent move for an initial €5.5m (£4.7m), which could rise to €7.5m (£6.4m) with add-ons. Both deals include buy-back clauses and matching rights for City.
Player and Club Statements
Reigan Heskey expressed his enthusiasm for the move, saying, "I was really keen to join 1. FC Köln to take the next step in my career. My discussions with those in charge have shown me that my style of play is a very good fit for the club. I’m looking forward to the challenge of playing in the Bundesliga and want to make the most of this opportunity to prove myself here. I’m ready."
Koln Managing Director Thomas Kessler praised Heskey's potential: "Reigan has developed incredibly well in the past few years with Manchester City and is one of the most exciting attacking talents in his age group. His development is not over by a long stretch. We see a lot of potential in him, and we are convinced that he can make the step up to the next level at FC."
Kessler also highlighted the role of head coach René Wagner: "In René, we also have exactly the right coach to guide him along this path, thanks to his motivational approach and his excellent rapport with young players."
Heskey's Qualities and Future
Kessler outlined Heskey's attributes: "Reigan has a lot of qualities: he’s physically strong with a real eye for goal. He has a lot of pace, and is able to play in several positions."
Heskey's move to Koln, who finished 14th in the Bundesliga last season, offers him a pathway to regular first-team football in a top-five European league. City retain the option to bring him back through the buy-back clause, ensuring they can monitor his progress closely.
