Al-Qadsiah signs Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders from Manchester City
Al-Qadsiah, a Saudi Arabian club, has completed the transfer of Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders from Manchester City in a deal valued at £52m. The move was announced on Wednesday, 19 August, marking a significant acquisition for the club.
Reijnders, who is 28 years old, had joined Manchester City last summer from AC Milan for £46.5m. During his tenure with Manchester City, he made 50 appearances across all competitions, scoring seven goals. He was part of the squad that secured both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup during Pep Guardiola’s final season as manager.
Despite his contributions, Reijnders reportedly struggled to make a consistent impact at Manchester City. He was notably absent from the squad selected by the club’s new manager, Enzo Maresca, for the recent Community Shield match against Arsenal, which ended in a 3-0 defeat for Manchester City.
Reijnders expressed his gratitude for his time at Manchester City, stating, “I have been incredibly privileged to play for Manchester City, and I have relished every minute of my time here.” He also acknowledged the warm welcome he received from players, coaches, staff, and fans, making him feel part of the Manchester City family.
Reijnders’ International and Club Career
The Dutch midfielder also featured for his national team, starting in all three of the Netherlands’ group-stage matches at the 2026 World Cup. However, he was an unused substitute in their last-32 match, which resulted in a defeat by Morocco.
With his move to Al-Qadsiah, Reijnders is reported to have signed a five-year contract. The Saudi club is currently managed by Brendan Rodgers, who previously managed Liverpool and Celtic.
Reijnders’ departure is part of a series of midfield changes at Manchester City this summer. Rodri completed a £65m transfer to Barcelona, and Bernardo Silva left the club as a free agent after his contract expired, subsequently signing with Real Madrid. Additionally, Spain international Nico Gonzalez has been linked with a move to Newcastle. Manchester City is also in advanced discussions with Lille for a deal involving Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi and continues to pursue Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.
Al-Qadsiah’s Stadium Enhancements
The signing of Reijnders coincides with significant developments at Al-Qadsiah, particularly regarding their home ground. The Aramco Stadium, where the team will host its matches, is nearing completion. Reports indicate that the transport and installation of the pitch have been finalised, utilising advanced specialised technologies for world-class sports stadiums.
The Aramco Stadium is designed to accommodate approximately 47,000 spectators across various categories. It features advanced hospitality facilities and digital services aimed at simplifying access and movement within the venue. The stadium includes fifteen internal gates, supported by smart crowd management systems and advanced solutions to organise fan movement and reduce congestion before and after events.
Technologies borrowed from European stadiums have been incorporated into the design. For instance, the pitch is equipped with a system to efficiently draw off rainwater, accelerating drainage and mitigating its impact during matches. Ventilation is another key feature, linked to an air-conditioning system with a cooling capacity of 22,500 tonnes, covering all areas of the stadium. Designers meticulously calibrated the airflow during the design phase using advanced simulation technologies to ensure optimal comfort and efficiency, even in challenging climatic conditions.
These enhancements are part of Al-Qadsiah’s efforts to create optimal conditions for achieving strong results, especially as the team is set to participate in the AFC Champions League Elite for the first time in its history.
Source: bbc.com
