Another top American youngster is set to head for Germany for the crucial development years of his career.
According to Goal USA, U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team midfielder Giovanni Reyna is expected to join Borussia Dortmund’s academy when he turns 16-years old this November. Reyna is able to head to Europe before his 18th-birthday thanks to a Portuguese passport he received by way of his father, former U.S. Men’s National Team captain Claudio Reyna and Claudio’s mother, who was born in Portugal.
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Gio Reyna, 15, is probably the most heralded U.S. U17. Smooth, technical, two-footed attacker. NYCFC scratched out a 1-0 win over Real Madrid today at #GACup. Reyna could've imposed himself more, but his quality showed.
— scuffed (@scuffedpod) March 26, 2018
Clever little lifted pass to open things up here. pic.twitter.com/UzLXoedZEG
Reyna just finished a tournament in Mexico with the U.S. U-17s, and earlier this summer he led NYCFC’s Under-18/19 team to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy title, despite being just 15-years old. Reyna was also a standout on the U.S. U-15 national team the past couple of years.
While not every American moving to Europe is successful (see: Haji Wright, Junior Flores), there is plenty of good precedent at Dortmund, especially thanks to Christian Pulisic. With Josh Sargent looking strong in the youth ranks and reserves at Werder Bremen and both Pulisic and Weston McKennie (Schalke) starring for the first team for their clubs in Germany, it’s an attractive place for young players - not just Americans - to move to. It’s still much too early to start the hype train on Reyna, but if he impresses in the Dortmund academy over the next two years, he could see a chance to play with the first team by 2020.
One thing to keep in mind is that NYCFC, which has likely spent thousands of dollars investing in coaching and facilities for Reyna’s development - along with other players - is losing him for nothing to Dortmund. And other talented young players, James and Will Sands or Joe Scally, haven’t seen much if any time with the first team.