Reigan Heskey: Who is the new Cologne forward?
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.
Data correct as of 18 July 2026
Reigan Heskey
Club: Cologne
Age: 18 (born 18 January 2008)
Position: Winger
Country: England
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.
Prior to that, he 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 - leading to his senior debut for City in last year's Carabao Cup third round tie against Huddersfield.
The rangy forward - who stands at 184cm - has also 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.
Blessed with pace, trickery and an eye for goal, he'll now 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.
Plays a bit like: Michael Olise
Much like the Bayern Munich star, Heskey is a tall, quick winger who bursts past defenders with ease and a degree of insouciance. Heskey drifts through defenders’ challenges as if they’re cones and possesses the self-belief and ball-striking ability to turn solo dribbles into efforts on goal. Sound familiar?
Did you know?
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 the likes of Liverpool, Leicester City and Aston Villa.
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 his son's turn to make waves in Germany.
What they're saying
"Reigan has developed superbly at Manchester City over the past few years and, given his qualities, is one of the best attacking players of his age group on the international stage. We are therefore all the more delighted that, during our discussions, we were able to convince him of the path we are taking together at Cologne." - Cologne Sporting Director
Thomas Kessler.
"I really wanted to go to Cologne to take the next step in my career. I am looking forward to the challenge in the Bundesliga and I want to take the chance to prove myself here. I'm ready." - Reigan Heskey
