Who is new Cologne signing Reigan Heskey?
Manchester City academy product Reigan Heskey has completed a permanent transfer to Cologne, signing a five-year deal with the Bundesliga side. Here’s everything you need to know about the free-scoring England youth international.
Heskey is the second graduate of Manchester City's esteemed academy to arrive at Cologne this summer. He follows Jahmai Simpson-Pusey through the door, whose breakout loan spell at the club last term underlined Cologne's commitment to giving young players a chance.
Like Simpson-Pusey, Heskey has enjoyed a stellar youth career and was part of the City side that won the FA Youth Cup earlier this year. Defeating cross-city rivals Manchester United in the final, it was Heskey who notched a late winner - his third in the competition - to help City clinch their fifth title.
The next step for Heskey is arguably the most daunting: adapting to the senior game. Indeed, his only contribution for City's first team this season was a seven-minute cameo in the side's Carabao Cup third round tie against Huddersfield.
Prior to that, he'd racked up 18 goals in 19 Under-18 Premier League games in 2024/25, and starred for City in the UEFA Youth League. No matter the standard of competition at youth level, Heskey has consistently shone.
This extends to the international ranks, as the rangy forward - who stands at 184cm - has earned caps for England U17s, U18s and U19s. At the 2025 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, he boosted his already burgeoning reputation with four goals and three assists in just five games.
Cologne's decision to sign Heskey on a permanent deal rather than a loan shows the faith they have in the skilful winger. Blessed with pace, trickery and an eye for goal, he'll be hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow Man City Academy graduates Jadon Sancho and Jamie Gittens, both of whom made their names in the Bundesliga.
Heskey, as you may have already guessed, has a perfect mentor to help him navigate his way through the professional ranks. His father, Emile, enjoyed a stellar Premier League career with Liverpool, Leicester City and Birmingham City. He also represented England 62 times, notably scoring in the Three Lions' stunning 5-1 win over Germany in 2001.
Some 25 years on from that memorable night in Munich, it's now time for his son to make waves in Germany. If his youth career is anything to go by, Cologne fans are in for a treat.
After completing his move to Cologne, Heskey said: "I really wanted to go to Cologne to take the next step in my career. The conversations with those responsible have shown me that my way of playing football fits very well with the club.
"I am looking forward to the challenge in the Bundesliga and I want to take the chance to prove myself here. I'm ready."
