Mikey Moore Cites Sancho and Bellingham as Inspiration for FC Koln Loan
Tottenham loanee Mikey Moore says the Bundesliga success of Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham influenced his decision to join FC Koln on a season-long loan.
Tottenham loanee Mikey Moore has said the path taken by Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham in Germany influenced his decision to join Bundesliga side FC Koln on a season-long loan. The 19-year-old completed the move to the RheinEnergieStadion last month, becoming the latest English talent to try the German top flight.
Moore pointed to Sancho, who left Manchester City for Borussia Dortmund as a 17-year-old and later earned a £73m move to Manchester United, and Bellingham, who joined Dortmund from Birmingham City in 2020 before moving to Real Madrid for an initial £88.5m in 2023. Speaking on the Euro Leagues podcast, Moore said such examples showed Germany is an attractive destination for a young attacker and that the club and manager sold him on the platform. He added that he is already happy with the decision and wants to build his own path in German football.
The loan follows a productive spell at Scottish Premiership side Rangers last season, when Moore made 47 appearances in all competitions and scored six goals with two assists in 28 league games. He said he had options to stay in England but chose to leave his comfort zone to test himself in one of Europe's top five leagues. According to Moore, the intense nature of the Bundesliga and the quality of its teams made the choice straightforward.
Since arriving on transfer deadline day, Moore has settled into an apartment near fellow England youth internationals Reigan Heskey and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, who are also on loan at Koln. He began German lessons this week and hopes to expand his vocabulary, partly at his mother's request. Koln's upcoming fixture against Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich will give him the chance to face Harry Kane, whom he first encountered while training with Tottenham's senior squad under Antonio Conte in the 2021-22 season.
Moore described Kane as a long-time idol and said he is looking forward to sharing a pitch with him, adding that he will try to obtain Kane's shirt after the match. Supporters may see the move as another example of young English players benefiting from regular first-team football in Germany, though Moore's own progress will ultimately be judged on his performances for Koln. The forward said he is determined to push on and make his own story in German football.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
