There was a time when Gio Reyna was widely regarded as one of the youngest prospects in world football, but the American’s career has stalled in recent times.
Now, Reyna has the chance to rekindle his love for the game after joining Nottingham Forest on loan from Borussia Dortmund until the end of the season.
✨ pic.twitter.com/imypXWhaZs— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 31, 2024
✨ pic.twitter.com/imypXWhaZs
In 2020, Reyna made a name for himself by becoming the youngest American to ever feature in the Bundesliga, making his top-flight debut in Germany at the age of just 17 years and 66 days.
After making two Bundesliga starts at the end of the 2019-20 season, the attacking midfielder swiftly became a regular in Dortmund’s first team during the 2020-21 campaign.
In his second season at BVB, Reyna made 46 appearances across all competitions, contributing seven goals and eight assists.
However, multiple injuries saw him register only six league starts in 2021-22. Despite making 30 appearances last season, Reyna achieved just seven starts, underlining his gradual decline.
Having failed to nail down a place in Dortmund’s starting XI this season, the 21-year-old has swapped BVB for Nottingham Forest in an attempt to reignite his career.
There is no hiding the fact that Forest are in a relegation battle, as the Reds have won just five of their 22 matches this season.
As a result, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side find themslves just two points clear of the drop zone, meaning Reyna will have to work hard to improve his new team’s position.
That said, the American is a talented player. Best known for his playmaking and dribbling ability, the Sunderland-born United States international has the potential to transform Forest’s fortunes.
It is worth remembering that a record of 17 goals and 16 assists in 121 for Dortmund is not to be sniffed at, but there is a sense that Reyna has underachieved in his career so far.
Let’s not forget that he has also scored seven goals in 24 games for the USMNT, proving that he’s capable of producing the goods on the world stage.
If Reyna can remain injury-free and discover some consistent form, there is no reason why he can’t rekindle his career at the City Ground.
With other exciting attackers like Morgan Gibbs-White, Athony Elenga and Callum Hudson-Odoi alongside him, Reyna could take the Premier League by storm in the coming months.