The Dutch national team departed from Finland to Schiphol today at 11:15 AM, but Tijjani Reijnders did not board the same plane. The 26-year-old midfielder flew to England for his medical examination at his new club, Manchester City. “Everything is planned in one day.”
On Tuesday, various media outlets reported that Reijnders was transferring from AC Milan to City. The player received a call the night before from his father, Martin Reijnders, who is involved in the negotiations.
“I was already in bed and wanted to go to sleep,” Reijnders said. “Then my father called, saying: it’s a done deal, congratulations. I was very happy, although I was already confident that it would work out. My father arranged everything. He only called me when it was really necessary.”
The transfer is not yet official because Reijnders still needs to undergo a medical examination by City. This will happen today in Manchester. “I don’t expect any crazy things,” said Reijnders, who will sign for five years with the Premier League club.
City will likely officially announce the arrival of Reijnders today. The 22-time international will then make his debut for the English top club later this month, which starts the Club World Cup in the United States on June 18. “I had to cancel my vacation due to my transfer and the World Cup. Football comes first now. There will be time for vacation later.”
Before joining City, Reijnders will still be in action for the Dutch national team, which continues its World Cup qualification against Malta on Tuesday in the Euroborg. Tonight, he flies from Manchester back to the Netherlands to join the Dutch squad in Zeist. “Everything is planned in one day.”
According to English media, Manchester City is paying approximately 70 million euros for Reijnders, who had two strong seasons at AC Milan in Serie A. This makes him the fourth most expensive Dutch footballer ever.
“It’s nice that there’s such a price tag attached to me. I have to make sure that I don’t put extra pressure on myself because of it. But I’m not afraid that will happen. I see it as a compliment.”
City was not the only club that showed interest in Reijnders but quickly became concrete. The 2023 Champions League winner stated that he was “a priority for the number 8 position in midfield.”
Reijnders, who was still playing for AZ two years ago, had little doubt. “I was able to develop greatly at AC Milan and only have warm feelings for that club. Because of that development, I can now take a great sporting step. Both clubs and myself are happy with this transfer.”
Playing in the Premier League is a dream come true for Reijnders. “I have been watching that competition since I was little. It’s great that I will soon be able to play matches with that enormous intensity. I am looking forward to it.”