BERLIN, Aug 17: United States teenager Gio Reyna is poised to become one of German soccer giant Borussia Dortmund’s brightest stars after being rewarded for his remarkable development with the prestigious No. 7 jersey.
Reyna says he feels ready to take on a bigger role to help Dortmund challenge Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga title and do well in the Champions League.
“Hopefully I can have a really big impact this season,” Reyna told journalists in a video call ahead of Tuesday’s German Supercup game with Bayern.
Still only 18, Reyna already seems like a veteran among the club’s young stars after becoming the youngest American ever to play in the Bundesliga on Jan. 19, 2020.
He has since made 48 appearances in Germany’s top division, and he scored his fifth Bundesliga goal on Saturday to help Dortmund start the new season with a 5-2 rout of Eintracht Frankfurt.
Reyna, who previously wore the No. 32 jersey at Dortmund, inherited the No. 7 from English forward Jadon Sancho, who left for Manchester United in the off-season. He already plays with the No. 7 when on international duty with the U.S. “I just think seven is a nice number,” said Reyna.
Dortmund, which signed Reyna from New York City FC in July 2019, rewarded the young attacking midfielder with a new contract last year. (AP)
