Bundesliga
Giovanni Reyna was once touted as the Bundesliga’s next great talent, but injuries, underwhelming form and a disappointing loan spell have seen the 22-year-old’s stock rapidly diminish. That could all change with the youngster’s move from Borussia Dortmund to Borussia Mönchengladbach.
The writing had seemingly been on the wall in terms of Reyna's Dortmund career for a couple of years. After breaking through at just 17, his playing minutes have significantly decreased. During the second half of the 2023/24 season, Reyna was sent on loan to Nottingham Forest in England, but there, too, he struggled to make an impact, failing to score during his 10 appearances.
Last campaign saw the American return to Dortmund, where he featured 26 times, although almost entirely from the bench. In total, the 22-year-old averaged just 24 minutes per appearance, and this summer, his number seven shirt was given to new signing Jobe Bellingham.
Watch: The best of Gio Reyna at Borussia Dortmund
However, it is important to remember Reyna’s earliest Dortmund appearances and the potential he still clearly has. He made his Dortmund debut at just 17 years and 66 days before becoming the DFB Cup’s youngest-ever goalscorer just two weeks later. A few months after that, he provided three assists in one game - against Freiburg in October 2020 - to become the youngest player in Bundesliga history to do so.
In 2021, he finished sixth and ninth in the Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy awards respectively. Reyna's consistently eye-catching performances saw him given the number seven shirt ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, and in August of that season, he became the youngest player in Bundesliga history to make 50 appearances at the time.
Watch: The Bundesliga's best Americans
Unfortunately for Reyna, his seemingly inevitable rise towards superstardom was curtailed by several injuries from which the American has struggled to recover. The 2021/22 campaign saw the playmaker manage just over 400 league minutes, having played nearly 2000 the season before, and the 22-year-old has ultimately been unable to recover his starting position since.
One place where Reyna has continued to have success, however, is with the United States national team. During his USMNT career, the US have won the CONCACAF Nations League three times with Reyna scoring or assisting in each of the finals. As recently as 2024, he was voted the Player of the Tournament at the 2023/24 edition, showing he can still produce on the biggest stages.
Watch: Gio Reyna joins Gladbach
Despite his recent difficulties, Gladbach are still signing an immensely talented footballer who could once more find his best form. If Gerardo Seoane can reinstall confidence into his new man, then we could once again see Reyna lighting up the Bundesliga.
His progress with the Foals will be made easier by the fact that international teammate and close friend Joe Scally already plays for the club.
The two came through the New York City FC academy together and have remained close ever since.
With Reyna’s ability to play anywhere in attack, it’s quite feasible that the two could even line up together on the right. The chemistry between the pair should only help Reyna both on and off the pitch as he looks to get back to his best.