Gio Reyna looked destined for superstardom when he left his family behind in New York to chase the European dream at Borussia Dortmund in 2019. The 16-year-old showed bravery and maturity belying his tender age by stepping out of his comfort zone, and it was no surprise when he broke into the BVB senior squad the following January.
Ten months later, Dortmund handed Reyna a new five-year contract. "Gio's development in recent months has been incredible," the German club's then-sporting director Michael Zorc said after the announcement. "He will definitely be an important part of Borussia Dortmund's sporting future."
Dortmund went on to win the DFB-Pokal and reach the Champions League quarter-finals in 2020-21, which made up for a disappointing third-place finish in the Bundesliga. Erling Haaland scored 41 goals to steal most of the headlines, but Reyna also enjoyed a hugely impressive breakthrough season, with 15 goal contributions.
The talented forward earned his first caps for the U.S. men's national team, too, which led to the suggestion he could eclipse fellow countryman Pulisic, who also became a household name at Dortmund. But in hindsight, it was all too much, too soon for Reyna.
Less than three years later, he has been reduced to little more than a bit-part role at Signal Iduna Park. Reyna has been plagued by form and fitness issues which have derailed his once-hugely promising career, and a change of scenery is necessary if he is to have any chance of getting back on track.
Reyna is certainly no longer "an important part" of Dortmund's future and must find an escape route in the January window, or else risk falling down the USMNT pecking order in the same way ahead of the Copa America...