Tijjani Reijnders will compete for Man City in the Club World Cup, even though the announcement came after the deadline.
The Dutch international midfielder expressed that he's "ecstatic" about moving to the Premier League and confirmed he will be part of City's squad for the Club World Cup in the USA.
Manchester City has completed the acquisition of Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan for an initial fee of £46.6 million. This signing brings the club’s total summer expenditure to £108.6 million, following earlier deals for Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves and Rayan Cherki from Lyon, both for £31 million, as well as goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli for a nominal amount.
The Dutch midfielder has signed a five-year contract and will be eligible to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup in the US, starting on Sunday. The transfer was finalized before the 7 PM deadline on Tuesday, although the announcement was delayed due to Reijnders’ involvement in a World Cup qualifier, where the Netherlands defeated Malta 8-0.
City’s proactive approach this summer comes after chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak admitted the club was not sufficiently aggressive in the previous year’s transfer window. This lapse, along with losing Ballon d’Or winner Rodri to injury for most of the season, resulted in City ceding the Premier League title to Liverpool after four consecutive wins.
Despite the transfer window closing at 7 PM on Tuesday, City managed to complete the deal for Reijnders beforehand, allowing him to join Pep Guardiola’s squad as they head to the US later this week. The club aimed to wrap up most transfers before their trip and has been the most active Premier League team this window, in addition to spending £200 million on new players in January.
Reijnders expressed his excitement, stating, “I am thrilled to join Manchester City. They are one of the biggest clubs globally, with an exceptional coach, world-class players, and excellent facilities. Under Pep Guardiola, City has achieved numerous titles, and I want to contribute to that success. Playing in the Premier League is a dream come true, following the path of many great Dutch players.”
Director of Football Hugo Viana commented, “He arrives with significant experience at the highest levels in Europe, both at club and international levels. Tijjani adds energy, composure, and creativity to our midfield, and working with Pep and our coaching staff will help him continue to grow.”
