Former Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has kept it 100% real about his switch from the Premier League to the Saudi Pro League, admitting that the massive payday at Al-Qadsiah was the game-changer.
The Netherlands international ditched the Etihad Stadium after just one season for a reported £52 million transfer to Al-Qadsiah, bringing his time in Manchester to an abrupt close. While many players making the leap to Saudi Arabia have skirted around the money talk, Reijnders was refreshingly upfront about his motivations.
Reijnders didn't hold back, openly stating that the chance to secure his family's financial future for generations was too good to pass up. "It’s money for generations of my family," he explained. "Once my playing career is over, I don’t want to have to work anymore. Of course, I probably wouldn’t have needed to work anymore after my contract at Manchester City either, but this move allows me to secure the future of the next generations of my family."
He doubled down, adding, "I’m not going to lie about that. By signing this contract, I can make sure even my grandchildren are financially secure, so why wouldn’t I do it?" Beyond the bank balance, Reijnders also mentioned that tactical shifts under new Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca, particularly being used in a more advanced attacking role, pushed him towards seeking a new challenge before Al-Qadsiah came knocking.
The reported package from Al-Qadsiah is a significant upgrade compared to his situation in England, and Reijnders isn't trying to hide its importance. He's made it clear that setting up his family's wealth for years to come was a primary driver behind his decision to join the Saudi club.
