Reijnders says Man City role, Saudi offer prompted surprise summer switch
Reijnders said a €61 million transfer fee and a reported €100 million deal helped persuade him to leave Manchester City for Al Qadsiah.
- Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders confirmed his surprise €61 million move to Saudi Pro League side Qadsiah, citing dissatisfaction with his tactical role at Manchester City.
- Seeking a dynamic midfield role, Reijnders told reporters, "In pre-season, I noticed that things were heading in that direction again at City, and I started thinking about whether I wanted another season like that."
- Reports indicate the deal is worth around 100 million euros over four years; Reijnders defended the switch by asking, "If this choice means my grandchildren can also live comfortably, why wouldn't I do it?"
- Qadsiah coach Brendan Rodgers convinced him to sign, suggesting he could play there four years before returning to Europe, as many players now do after Saudi Arabia stints.
- Ahead of the Nations League match against Germany, Reijnders defended the Saudi league's quality, claiming he rates it higher than the Dutch Eredivisie and urging critics to watch before judging.
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30 Articles
Tijjani Reijnders, Al-Qadsiah midfielder, explained why he decided to move to Saudi Arabia.
The Independent
The Independent (US)Tijjani Reijnders admits he quit Man City to move to Saudi Arabia for money
Reijnders left Manchester City in the summer after just one season at the club
Dutch football player Tijani Reinders was replaced by Manchester City this summer with Al Qadisiya from Saudi Arabia.
Channel News Asia
Free Malaysia Today NewsReijnders says Man City role, Saudi offer prompted surprise summer switch
AMSTERDAM, Sept 23 : Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders said he did not like the role he was being asked to play at Manchester City and that he could not turn down the financial package being offered by Saudi Arabia's Al Qadsiah.Reijnders, who joined the Saudi Pro League side in a surprise 61 million e
Reijnders: In Arabia for Money, I Don't Want to Work Anymore. So I Settle My Family for Generations.
If at first he had described his arrival in the Saudi Championship as a choice stimulated by the sports ambitions of the club, now Milan's former midfielder redesigns the picture of the facts
Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders decided to leave Europe and move from Manchester City to Saudi Arabia at the peak of his career, and has now become one of the first footballers to publicly admit that his decision was largely influenced by financial considerations. Not long ago, Reijnders was one of the best midfielders in Serie A with Milan, which secured him a transfer to Manchester City in the summer of 2025 for 55 million euros. After just…
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