Mikey Moore Chases Glory in Germany Inspired by Sancho and Bellingham

At just 16, Mikey Moore made history as Tottenham's youngest-ever Premier League player. Now, at 19, he’s taken a bold step by heading to Germany on loan at FC Koln. Moore’s move comes on the heels of successful stints by fellow English stars Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham in the Bundesliga. The young forward completed his season-long loan last month, keen to follow in their footsteps. Sancho’s journey began nearly a decade ago when he left Manchester City for Borussia Dortmund. During his time in Germany, he became one of Europe’s most electrifying wingers, racking up over 150 appearances and helping Dortmund win the DFB-Pokal in 2021 before a big-money transfer to Manchester United. Bellingham took a similar route in 2020, moving from Birmingham City to Dortmund, where he quickly became a standout player. His rise culminated in a staggering £88.5 million transfer to Real Madrid in 2023. In a chat on Thursday’s Euro Leagues podcast, set to air on BBC Radio 5 Live, Moore shared how these players influenced his decision to join Koln, despite having offers from clubs in England. "Seeing young players thrive here, especially world-class talents like Jude and Jadon, made it an easy choice for me," Moore said. "The Bundesliga is a fantastic platform for an attacking player, and the club’s faith in me has been incredibly reassuring." Moore is already feeling at home at Koln, where he’s been given ample playing time right from the start. "I’m thrilled with my choice. Now, I’m focused on building my own legacy in German football," he added. Despite just turning 19, Moore has a history of embracing challenges. Last season, he made 47 appearances for Rangers during a loan spell in the Scottish Premiership, where he scored six goals and provided two assists. "I had the option to stay in England, but I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and test myself in a top league," he explained. "Everyone here believes it’s a great experience for me, and I agree. The intensity of the Bundesliga is something else." It’s been a whirlwind few weeks since Moore’s transfer deadline day move. He’s settled into an apartment near fellow England youth internationals Reigan Heskey and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, who are also on loan at Koln, and he’s even started learning German. "I might not have been the best student, so it could take me some time to pick it up," Moore joked. "But I’ll put in the hours to learn enough to order food or something!" Next month, he’ll face a thrilling challenge when Koln take on Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich. It’s a chance for Moore to meet up with Harry Kane, who he idolized growing up. "Kane has been a huge influence on me since childhood. When I trained with the first team under Conte, watching him was unbelievable," Moore recalled. "Playing against him will be a fantastic experience. I can’t wait!" As Kane showcases his skills in Germany, Moore hopes to leave his mark as well, perhaps even snagging a jersey from the Tottenham legend. "I’ll try to get that shirt! I actually saw him during the last international break and said hello. If I see him again, I’ll definitely ask for it after the match!" Mikey Moore is ready to make his own memories in the Bundesliga, and who knows? He might just come back from Munich with a special keepsake.