FC Köln came close to signing Gio Reyna before Borussia Dortmund move

Gio Reyna could have ended up joining FC Köln before his 2019 move from New York City FC to Borussia Dortmund.

Gio Reyna has been enjoying an incredible breakthrough year with Borussia Dortmund, and has become a key part of head coach Lucien Favre’s plans. But he came close to joining FC Köln, two years before his eventual move to Borussia Dortmund. According to the Express, the Billy Goats were very interested in bringing the talented American youngster to the club in the autumn of 2017.

Former FC Köln sport director Jörg Jakobs wanted to sign Reyna, and president Werner Spinner even flew to New York to meet with him and his parents. Spinner also offered Reyna’s mother and former USA international, Danielle Egan, a job with the women’s team at the club. While Reyna is said to have even visited the city of Cologne. The package to sign him would have cost the club around two million euros.

But late in 2017, structural and personnel changes took place at FC. Köln, with Armin Veh arriving as managing director. Veh mainly relied on Frank Aehlig, and Jakobs’ influence at the club waned as a result. Werner Spinner still attempted to convince Veh to sign Reyna, but by then a number of other clubs, including Borussia Dortmund had shown an interest in signing him. And in the end, FC. Köln came away empty handed, with the highly rated attacking midfielder instead moving to Dortmund.

Reyna has enjoyed a remarkable rise since his 2019 move to Borussia Dortmund, and is now a regular starter for the Black and Yellows despite his young age of 17. He has made an excellent start to the season, scoring two goals and providing three assists in just five appearances.