Mikey Moore chose Köln to follow Sancho and Bellingham's German path
Mikey Moore turned down offers to stay in England to test himself in Germany.
The 19-year-old winger joined FC Köln on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur on transfer deadline day. A loan means he plays for Köln for one season before returning to Spurs. Köln announced the deal on 31 August 2026.
Moore said the German careers of Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham helped make up his mind, BBC Sport reported. He had other options at home. He wanted Germany.
He turned 19 in August. He arrives with a full season of senior football behind him.
Moore spent last season on loan at Rangers. He made 47 appearances in all competitions. In Scotland's top flight, the Scottish Premiership, he scored six goals and made two assists in 28 games.
Sancho showed what the Bundesliga, Germany's top division, can do for a young English player. He left Manchester City for Borussia Dortmund at 17. He went on to make more than 150 appearances for Dortmund and won the DFB-Pokal, Germany's national cup, in 2021. Dortmund then sold him to Manchester United for £73m.
Bellingham took a similar road. He joined Dortmund from Birmingham City in 2020. Three years later he moved to Real Madrid for an initial £88.5m.
Moore will not be the only young Englishman in Köln. England youth internationals Reigan Heskey and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey are also on loan at the club.
What makes this stand out is the choice. Staying home would have been simpler. Moore has picked minutes, a new language and a league known for trusting teenagers.
