Reijnders says Saudi switch secures his family's finances for generations

Pinned summary · as of 06:22

Tijjani Reijnders, a Netherlands international, has left Manchester City for a new club in Saudi Arabia and says money was central to the decision. He presents the move as a way of providing for several generations of his family.

What we know

• Reijnders has gone to Saudi Arabia after his departure from Manchester City.
• By his own account, financial security played a major part in the switch, and he expects the deal to benefit him and later generations of his family. “It’s money for generations of my family,” he said.
• Reijnders said he wants to reach the end of his playing days without any need to earn a wage afterwards.
• He conceded that his City contract would probably have spared him from working again, but said the Saudi deal protects the next generations of relatives as well.
• Reijnders also said the contract means even his grandchildren will be financially provided for.

What's disputed / unconfirmed

• ?
  The Vaultz News named Al-Qadsiah of the Saudi Pro League as his new club and said the move was completed in August 2026 after one season at City. The Ghana Report referred only to Saudi Arabia, so the club and timing rest on one report.
• ?
  The Vaultz News reported a transfer value of around €61 million, a contract worth about €100 million over five years (roughly €20 million annually) and earnings of about €385,000 a week, adding that City confirmed a permanent exit. No other report has verified these sums.
• ?
  Reijnders' age is given differently: The Vaultz News put it at 28, while The Ghana Report called him 27.
• ?
  The Vaultz News said he came to Manchester after a spell at AC Milan, signing a five-year contract in June 2025 for around €55 million, made 50 appearances with seven goals, and saw City lift the FA Cup and Carabao Cup during his stay. It also said limited playing time contributed to his decision. None of this has been backed by another report.
• ?
  According to The Vaultz News, Reijnders said the Al-Qadsiah coach, Brendan Rodgers, suggested he could enjoy three or four good years in Saudi Arabia before going back to Europe, and that he sees a European return as his aim. The same report has him defending the standard of the Saudi league and says he is with the Netherlands squad for the Nations League fixtures.
• ?
  The Ghana Report quoted Reijnders as saying, “I’m not going to lie about that,” in reference to the money behind his choice. This has not appeared in other reports.

Why it matters for Ghana

The player's own explanation shows how family finances can weigh on a footballer's choice of club, not only sporting ambition. That is a consideration familiar to young Ghanaian players and their families when offers arrive from clubs abroad, including in the Gulf.