Al Qadsiah bring in Tijjani Reijnders as Saudi club target Asian and domestic success

Al Qadsiah have officially signed Tijjani Reijnders from Manchester City, with the Dutch midfielder joining the Saudi club during the current summer transfer window.

The club announced the move on its account on X, publishing a presentation video featuring Reijnders. At the end of the video, the 26-year-old said: “I am a Dutch artist, I am Qadsawi.”

The announcement was accompanied by the slogan: “A Dutch artist, painting his pictures in our stadiums,” alongside the club’s red and yellow colours.

Reports previously indicated that the transfer fee was approximately 61m euros. Al Qadsiah and Manchester City had reached an agreement over the move several days ago, but the Saudi club waited until today to formally confirm the signing.

Reijnders has been brought in to strengthen Al Qadsiah’s midfield at an important stage in the club’s development. The team will make its first appearance in the AFC Champions League Elite this season and is also seeking to challenge for the Roshn Saudi League title.

Al Qadsiah have established themselves among the leading teams in Saudi football in recent seasons, competing for a place in the top four during each of the past two campaigns.

The transfer also brings a quick end to Reijnders’ time at Manchester City. He joined the club from Milan last summer and made 50 appearances in all competitions during his spell with the English side.

His first appearance for Al Qadsiah could come against Al-Ittihad on Friday, two days from now, in the second round of the Roshn Saudi League. Any decision on whether he features will be made by manager Brendan Rodgers.

The signing gives Rodgers another major option in midfield as Al Qadsiah prepare for a season that combines domestic ambitions with their first participation in the continent’s elite club competition. Reijnders’ arrival is also the latest step in the club’s efforts to compete with Saudi Arabia’s established leading sides after twice pushing for a place in the league’s top-four positions.

Al Qadsiah announced the deal through a carefully produced social-media presentation rather than a traditional written statement, using the “Dutch artist” theme to introduce their new player. Reijnders’ words in the video provided the central message of the unveiling, as he directly linked himself with his new club by describing himself as “Qadsawi”.

The midfielder’s availability for the match against Al-Ittihad will depend on Rodgers’ decision and the club’s assessment of when to introduce him. If selected, the fixture could provide Reijnders with his first opportunity to begin his new chapter in Saudi football after a single season at Manchester City.