New Manchester City signing Tijjani Reijnders has expressed his delight at securing a move to the Premier League champions, revealing he “could not wait” to complete his medical examination and officially begin his journey under Pep Guardiola.
The 26-year-old Dutch international has agreed a five-year deal with City, completing a transfer worth approximately £46.3 million from Italian giants AC Milan. Speaking to Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, Reijnders confirmed that he spent Sunday finalizing the medical process with his new club.
“The medical? I couldn’t wait to do it,” said Reijnders. “The plan is to take part at the Club World Cup with City. I’m really excited about that. Doing that means I’ll get to know my new team-mates sooner.”
Set for Club World Cup Debut
Reijnders is expected to be part of Manchester City’s squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, which takes place in the United States from June 14 to July 13. City begin their campaign on June 18 with a clash against Wydad AC of Morocco. For Reijnders, the opportunity to join the squad early means not only being part of a prestigious global tournament, but also having an accelerated integration into Guardiola’s tactical system and team dynamics.
City are hopeful that Reijnders will bring fresh energy and tactical versatility to the midfield, following the departure of veteran star Kevin De Bruyne and amid the expected overhaul of the squad this summer. His arrival is seen as part of a broader reshaping strategy to reclaim dominance in both domestic and European competitions after a trophyless 2024–25 campaign.
Why Guardiola Wanted Reijnders
Reijnders has developed into a technically-gifted, intelligent midfielder during his time at AC Milan, where he made 34 appearances in Serie A last season. Known for his composure on the ball, vision, and ability to control the tempo of play, he is expected to slot into a flexible midfield role, capable of playing both as a deep-lying playmaker and an advanced box-to-box operator.
Guardiola is reportedly a long-time admirer of Reijnders’ composure under pressure and range of passing, which aligns with City’s tactical identity. The move has been described by several pundits as one of the most calculated and potentially impactful midfield signings in recent windows.
A New Chapter for Reijnders
For Reijnders, joining Manchester City represents the biggest step in his career to date. After emerging through the ranks at AZ Alkmaar and impressing during his spell at Milan, the Dutchman is now relishing the challenge of playing in what many consider the most competitive league in the world.
“I’ve watched a lot of City’s matches over the past few years. The football they play is amazing—fast, smart, and always with purpose. I want to become a better player under Pep’s coaching,” Reijnders said in a follow-up interview.
Reijnders will join up with fellow internationals like Nathan Aké and is expected to wear the No. 14 shirt—formerly worn by Aymeric Laporte. Fans are eager to see him in action during pre-season fixtures and the Club World Cup, which will serve as his first official appearances in a sky blue shirt.
With his arrival, Manchester City hope to usher in a new era of midfield dominance and lay the foundation for future success across all competitions.
