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Tijjani Reijnders has completed a £52m transfer from Manchester City to Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah after just one season at the Etihad Stadium.
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The Netherlands midfielder joined Manchester City from AC Milan for £46.5m last summer but leaves after making 50 appearances and scoring seven goals.
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Reijnders helped City win the FA Cup and Carabao Cup but was left out of the squad for their Community Shield defeat by Arsenal.
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His departure is another significant change to Manchester City’s midfield following Rodri’s move to Barcelona and Bernardo Silva’s free transfer to Real Madrid.
August 19, (THEWILL) — Tijjani Reijnders has left Manchester City after just one season at the club, completing a £52m move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah.
The Netherlands midfielder arrived at the Etihad Stadium from AC Milan last summer for £46.5m, but his time in Manchester has now come to an unexpectedly early end.
Reijnders made 50 appearances across all competitions during his only campaign with City, scoring seven goals as the club secured both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Despite his involvement throughout the season, the 28-year-old struggled to become an undisputed starter and has now been allowed to continue his career in Saudi Arabia.
His departure also comes at the beginning of a new era under Manchester City’s manager Enzo Maresca.
Reijnders was notably absent from the squad for Sunday’s Community Shield clash with Arsenal, which City lost 3-0.
The midfielder’s move to Al-Qadsiah is reportedly covered by a five-year contract, giving him a long-term opportunity to establish himself in the Saudi Pro League.
He will work under former Liverpool and Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, who is now in charge of the Saudi club.
Reijnders Thanks Manchester City Fans
Although his stay at Manchester City lasted only one season, Reijnders expressed his appreciation for the club and the people around him.
The Dutchman said he felt welcomed from the moment he arrived and described representing City as a privilege.
He also singled out the supporters for their backing of him and his family during his time at the club.
Reijnders’ exit comes during a major reshaping of Manchester City’s midfield.
Rodri has completed a £65m transfer to Barcelona, while Bernardo Silva left City when his contract expired before joining Real Madrid on a free transfer.
City are also facing uncertainty surrounding Nico Gonzalez, who has reportedly attracted interest from Newcastle United.
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While several established midfielders have left, City are already working on replacements.
The club are reportedly in advanced negotiations with Lille over Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, while Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez remains another player on their radar.
For Reijnders, the move to Al-Qadsiah represents a fresh start after an underwhelming spell in England.
He also featured for the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup, starting all three group-stage matches before being left on the bench for their last-32 defeat by Morocco.
Having spent only 12 months at Manchester City, Reijnders will now turn his attention to Saudi Arabia, where he will look to establish himself as a key player for Al-Qadsiah and put his brief Premier League experience behind him.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
