Manchester City Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Tijjani Reijnders on a five year contract this is a very big moment for the club and for the player himself who has worked so hard to reach this level Tijjani is a 26 year old Dutch international midfielder who arrives from AC Milan where he was voted Serie A’s Best Midfielder for the 2024/25 season scoring 15 goals in 54 games which is an incredible achievement for a central midfielder showing his ability to score goals create chances and control the tempo of the game his signing is seen as a major coup for City who are always looking to strengthen their squad with top level talent capable of competing on all fronts from the Premier League to the Champions League to the FIFA Club World Cup
Reijnders started his professional career in the Netherlands with PEC Zwolle where he made his debut in the 2017/18 season he only played once for their senior team but it was enough to get him noticed by AZ Alkmaar one of the top clubs in Dutch football he joined AZ and spent several seasons developing his game playing both for the senior team and Jong AZ their reserve side in Jong AZ he built up his experience playing over 90 games and scoring 19 goals over several seasons showing early signs of his goal scoring ability from midfield during this period he learned the tactical discipline the technical skills and the mental toughness required to succeed at the highest level
His breakthrough came with AZ Alkmaar’s first team where he steadily became a regular player contributing consistently over the years in the 2021/22 season he played 47 games scoring 6 goals and the following season he played 54 games scoring 7 goals his performances caught the attention of scouts across Europe not just because of his technical ability but because of his intelligence on the ball his calmness under pressure and his incredible work rate AC Milan saw his potential and signed him ahead of the 2023/24 season offering him the chance to prove himself in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues
Settling in Italy was not easy but Reijnders showed his adaptability and determination in his first season at Milan he played 50 games scoring 4 goals and demonstrating his ability to play in multiple midfield roles sometimes deeper as a playmaker other times pushing forward to support the attack but it was in the 2024/25 season that he truly exploded onto the scene scoring 15 goals in 54 games with 10 of those goals coming in Serie A alone his performances were so good that he was voted the best midfielder in the entire league beating out some of the biggest names in Italian football he scored all types of goals arriving late into the box finishing from close range dribbling past defenders and smashing shots from distance
His rise at Milan was matched by his progress with the Dutch national team after making his senior debut in 2023 he quickly became an important player for his country playing all six games at UEFA Euro 2024 as the Netherlands reached the semi finals operating in a deeper role he provided balance control and security in midfield allowing the team’s attackers to shine his performances at the tournament proved he could deliver on the biggest stage under immense pressure and in front of millions of fans around the world this experience is invaluable for Manchester City who need players who can handle the pressure of title races knockout ties and finals
Watching Tijjani Reijnders play is a joy for any football fan built in the classic Dutch style he is tall lean and composed on the ball with an upright running style that exudes confidence and calmness he rarely panics in possession always looking for the best option whether it’s a short pass to maintain possession or a long switch to exploit space on the other side of the pitch he has an electric burst of pace when needed allowing him to glide past markers and break defensive lines but just as important is his reading of the game defensively he positions himself intelligently intercepting passes breaking up attacks and making life difficult for opponents he is the complete midfielder comfortable in defence effective in attack and intelligent enough to link the two seamlessly
For Manchester City signing Reijnders is about much more than adding another player to the squad it’s about bringing in someone who perfectly fits Pep Guardiola’s demanding tactical system at City midfielders are expected to be versatile disciplined creative and technically perfect they need to be able to control games dominate possession press high win back the ball quickly and exploit even the smallest spaces Reijnders has shown he can do all of this and more his ability to play as a defensive midfielder a box to box runner or an attacking playmaker gives Guardiola options and flexibility in how he sets up his team
In his own words Reijnders expressed his excitement about joining City saying I am ecstatic to be signing for Manchester City City are one of the biggest teams in the world with the best coach world class players and outstanding facilities Under Pep Guardiola City have won so many titles and I want to help keep that going with a lot more success in the coming years It is also a dream come true to play in the Premier League This league has seen many of the best Dutch players perform through the years and it’s an inspiration to follow in their footsteps I am really looking forward to getting going meeting the other players and showing the Manchester City fans what I can do
These words underline his motivation his respect for the club and his ambition to leave a mark on English football playing in the Premier League has always been a dream for him and now he has the chance to do so at the very highest level with a team that is expected to challenge for every trophy available it’s an opportunity that few players get and one he seems determined to seize with both hands
City’s Director of Football Hugo Viana also spoke about the signing saying We are very happy that Tijjani has joined us and we’re excited for him to join Pep’s squad He arrives here with extensive top level experience in Europe both at club level as well as on the international stage with the Netherlands Tijjani adds extra energy composure and creativity to our midfield and working with Pep and our coaches will only see him go from strength to strength
These words reflect the club’s confidence that Reijnders will not only succeed at City but get even better working under Guardiola known for his ability to improve players technically tactically and mentally Guardiola has helped midfielders like Kevin De Bruyne Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri reach new levels in their careers and there is every reason to believe he can do the same with Reijnders
Reijnders’ season by season stats show his steady progression from a youth prospect to a top level European midfielder starting with 1 appearance for PEC Zwolle in 2017/18 he moved to Jong AZ where he played 32 games scoring 6 goals in 2017/18 then 36 games with 8 goals in 2018/19 16 games with 3 goals in 2019/20 and 8 games with 2 goals in 2020/21 for AZ Alkmaar’s senior team he made 1 appearance in 2017/18 1 in 2018/19 3 in 2019/20 before a loan to RKC Waalwijk for 8 appearances then back to AZ with 22 games in 2020/21 47 games and 6 goals in 2021/22 54 games and 7 goals in 2022/23 and then AC Milan with 50 games and 4 goals in 2023/24 and finally 54 games and 15 goals in 2024/25 these numbers show a player who has worked incredibly hard improving every year learning new roles and taking on more responsibility
Manchester City fans will be excited to see what he can bring to the team with his ability to score goals create chances control possession and help defensively he is exactly the type of complete midfielder Guardiola loves he is someone who can help break down stubborn defences in the Premier League find spaces in tight Champions League games and help City maintain their position at the top of English football and among Europe’s elite
Reijnders also brings valuable leadership qualities he has experience playing in big games for club and country and he knows what it takes to perform under pressure he is fluent in English which will help him settle quickly in the dressing room and on the training ground building relationships with his new teammates and understanding Guardiola’s complex instructions and tactical plans
He will be eligible to play in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup in the USA giving him an early chance to win silverware with his new team and to show City fans around the world what he can do it’s a chance to integrate quickly into the squad test himself against top international opposition and lay down a marker for the season ahead
For City this signing is part of a broader strategy to stay at the top by constantly refreshing the squad with top quality players who fit the club’s playing philosophy and have the hunger to win trophies Reijnders joins a group of world class players who will push each other to new levels ensuring that City remain as competitive as ever in every competition they enter
The move also underlines City’s commitment to signing players who are not only talented but also intelligent hard working and ambitious qualities that Guardiola demands from all his players and which are essential for any team aiming to dominate both domestically and in Europe
As the new season approaches excitement will only grow around Reijnders and what he can offer Manchester City fans will be eager to see his first touches in sky blue his first goals his first assists and the way he links up with stars like Kevin De Bruyne Phil Foden and Erling Haaland there will be expectations of course but if his performances in Italy and for the Netherlands are anything to go by he is more than capable of meeting them and even exceeding them
Everyone at Manchester City is thrilled to welcome Tijjani Reijnders to the club and the hope is that his time at the Etihad will be filled with success trophies and unforgettable moments for both him and the fans who will be cheering him on from the stands and around the world this signing is a statement of intent a sign that City have no intention of standing still and a promise that they will continue to play the kind of beautiful winning football that has made them one of the best teams in the world
