City have confirmed forward Reigan Heskey has completed a permanent transfer to FC Koln, subject to international clearance, closing out a move that had been gathering pace since German interest first emerged earlier this month.
The son of former England striker Emile Heskey spent eleven years in City’s academy system, working through every age group from the Under-9s to a first-team debut in last season’s Carabao Cup win over Huddersfield Town — a game that also featured brother Jaden, making them the first sibling pairing to appear for City’s first team since Kolo and Yaya Toure.
Academy numbers hard to ignore
Heskey’s output at academy level explains Koln’s interest. He posted 36 goal involvements in 41 games during his first Under-18 season in 2024/25, then stepped up to the Elite Development Squad and produced 13 goals and 16 assists in 41 appearances last term, helping the Under-18s retain their Premier League North title and scoring the winner in an FA Youth Cup final win over Manchester United.
Contract stall preceded exit
The move follows reports that talks over a new professional contract had stalled, with City facing competition from clubs across England and Europe for his signature.
City wished Heskey well in a statement confirming the deal, bringing a close to an academy story that looked destined for a first-team breakthrough before Bundesliga interest intervened.
