Tijjani Reijnders Leaves Manchester City for Al-Qadsiah

Tijjani Reijnders’ brief Manchester City chapter is over. The Netherlands midfielder has sealed a £52m move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah, drawing a line under a one-season stay that never quite caught fire.

The 28-year-old arrived at the Etihad last summer from AC Milan for £46.5m, billed as a dynamic option for Pep Guardiola’s evolving midfield. He leaves with two domestic trophies and 50 appearances behind him, but without ever fully nailing down the influence many expected.

He still played his part. Reijnders featured across all competitions, scored seven goals and helped City lift both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in what proved to be Guardiola’s final season in charge. On paper, it looks productive. On the pitch, it always felt like there was another gear he never consistently found.

His summer was busy too. Reijnders started all three of the Netherlands’ group-stage matches at the 2026 World Cup, only to watch from the bench as an unused substitute in their last-32 exit to Morocco. From central figure to spectator in the space of a week – a theme that would soon echo at club level.

The first clear sign of a shift came at Wembley. New City manager Enzo Maresca left Reijnders out of the squad entirely for Sunday’s 3-0 Community Shield defeat by Arsenal. For a player of his profile and price tag, that omission spoke loudly. The move that followed confirms it.

In his farewell, Reijnders struck a grateful tone.

"I have been incredibly privileged to play for Manchester City, and I have relished every minute of my time here," he said. "From the very moment I arrived, everyone at the club - players, coaches and staff - made me feel so welcome and a part of the Manchester City family.

"I would also like to say a special thank you to the City fans who were so warm and supportive both to me and my family."

While City reset under Maresca, Reijnders heads into a very different project. He has reportedly signed a five-year contract with Al-Qadsiah, who are managed by former Liverpool and Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers. The Saudi club get a World Cup midfielder in his prime; Rodgers gets another technically sharp option to shape a side with growing ambition.

For City, the deal continues a dramatic midfield reshuffle. Reijnders becomes the latest departure in a summer of heavy change in the centre of the pitch. Rodri has already completed a £65m move to Barcelona. Bernardo Silva left at the end of his contract and joined Real Madrid on a free transfer.

Three high-profile midfielders gone, a new manager in the dugout, and a fresh structure to build. City have rarely been afraid of bold surgery on a winning team. The question now is simple: how quickly can Maresca turn this upheaval into a new engine room worthy of the club’s standards?