It’s been a breakout year for soon-to-be US men’s national team midfielder Giovanni Reyna, and Borussia Dortmund are keen to keep the NYCFC academy product for as long as possible.
Sporting director Michael Zorc showered praise on the 17-year-old before the club’s season-ending match Saturday against Hoffenheim.
"Our coach, Lucien Favre, and I agree that he has a big future ahead of him,” Zorc said. “He is still a minor, but we are in very positive talks to, once he turns 18, keep him at the club for as long as possible."
It’s been less than a year since Reyna joined from the Cityzens’ youth ranks, and he’s since managed 17 first-team appearances across all competitions, scoring once and assisting twice. Reyna, the son of Austin FC sporting director Claudio Reyna, made his first start last weekend and set up Erling Haaland’s opener.
For one, Zorc hopes connections of that variety can long continue.
“I believe that Gio is aware of the development he has taken here. First, in the academy and then under Lucien," Zorc said. "It's an absolute success story and we want to continue writing it."
Dortmund are guaranteed to finish second in the 2019-20 Bundesliga table, with Bayern Munich capturing a record eighth straight title. As for Reyna, a USMNT debut seems likely when international soccer returns, following in the footsteps of countryman and former Dortmund star Christian Pulisic.
