Tijjani Reijnders, the Dutch midfielder who joined Manchester City in the summer of 2025, has quickly become a name of interest for fans and analysts alike. Born in Zwolle on 29 July 1998, Reijnders brings a blend of technical skill and energetic box-to-box play developed during stints at AZ Alkmaar and AC Milan. His move to the Premier League marked a significant step in a career that has already included a senior debut for the Netherlands and a Supercoppa Italiana victory.
Reijnders’ background often prompts curiosity, particularly his mixed Dutch and Indonesian (Moluccan) heritage. His father, Martin Reijnders, was a professional footballer, and his mother, Angelina Reijnders, is of Indonesian descent. These family roots, combined with his own rise through Dutch football, shape a story that goes beyond simple statistics.
What is Tijjani Reijnders’ Ethnicity and Family Background?
- Reijnders is of Indonesian descent through his Moluccan mother, Angelina Reijnders.
- His father, Martin Reijnders, is a Dutch former professional player who also played abroad.
- He holds Dutch nationality and chose to represent the Netherlands internationally.
- His first name Tijjani honors Nigerian forward Tijani Babangida; he has no Nigerian origin.
- Reijnders is not Muslim; his name, though of Arabic origin, was chosen by parents who admired Babangida.
- He is the older brother of Eliano Reijnders, a professional footballer playing for Persib Bandung.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Tijjani Reijnders |
| Date of birth | 29 July 1998 |
| Age | 27 |
| Height | 1.78 m |
| Position | Central midfielder |
| Current club | Manchester City |
| Nationality | Netherlands |
| Shirt number | 4 |
Who are Tijjani Reijnders’ parents?
His father, Martin Reijnders (born 1972), was a professional attacker who represented PEC Zwolle in the Netherlands and also played in the USA and Finland. Tijjani and his younger brother Eliano spent part of their childhood in Finland while their father played there. His mother, Angelina Reijnders, is of Indonesian roots specifically from the Moluccan community.
Tijjani’s brother, Eliano Reijnders, is also a professional footballer and currently plays for Persib Bandung in Indonesia. The family’s ties to football run deep, with Martin’s career having a clear influence on both sons.
What is Tijjani Reijnders’ religion?
Reijnders is not Muslim. His first name, which is of Arabic origin and common in Islamic cultures, was given purely because his parents were enthusiastic fans of Nigerian forward Tijani Babangida, who played for Ajax. Public sources do not detail a specific religious affiliation, and his family background is Dutch and Indonesian without a documented link to any faith.
Tijjani Reijnders was named after Nigerian forward Tijani Babangida, whom his parents admired during his time at Ajax. Despite the Arabic origin of the name, Reijnders is not Muslim, and his family background is Dutch and Indonesian.
Why Did Tijjani Reijnders Join Manchester City?
Reijnders moved to Manchester City from AC Milan in the summer of 2025. The transfer was announced on 11 June 2025, with the midfielder signing a five-year contract running until 2030. The fee was reported at around £46.5 million, though the club has not officially confirmed the exact figure.
What was Tijjani Reijnders’ transfer fee?
Reports from multiple sources indicate a fee of approximately £46.5 million. Neither Manchester City nor AC Milan have publicly disclosed the final amount, but the reported figure is consistent with market estimates for a player of his profile and recent form.
When did Tijjani Reijnders join Manchester City?
The deal was confirmed on 11 June 2025. Reijnders made his competitive debut for City on 16 August 2025 in a Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, scoring once and providing an assist for Erling Haaland in a 4-0 victory.
Reijnders made his Premier League debut for Manchester City on 16 August 2025, scoring and assisting Erling Haaland in a 4–0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
What are Tijjani Reijnders’ Career Stats and Playing Position?
What position does Tijjani Reijnders play?
He is a central midfielder with a box-to-box style. Reijnders is known for his passing accuracy, vision, and stamina, making him effective in both defensive and attacking phases. He originally chose AC Milan over Barcelona because he felt more comfortable in the role offered there.
What are Tijjani Reijnders’ career statistics?
At AC Milan, Reijnders made 87 appearances in all competitions between 2023 and 2025, scoring 12 goals. His best season came in 2024-25 when he netted 15 times in 54 matches, a sharp increase from his previous best of 7 goals in 54 games during his final season at AZ Alkmaar. He made his senior debut for the Netherlands in September 2023 and has since become a regular under Ronald Koeman.
At AC Milan in the 2024/25 season, Reijnders scored 15 goals in 54 appearances, a significant increase from his previous best of 7 goals in 54 games at AZ Alkmaar.
Who is Tijjani Reijnders’ Wife?
Reijnders is married to Marina Reijnders Gourgis, who is of Iraqi descent and has built a following in fashion. The couple met when they were both 19 years old. Reijnders proposed while he was on loan at RKC Waalwijk, and they married before moving to Milan.
Before the move to Italy, Marina worked as a nurse. She later gained attention on social media for her fashion content. The couple have become parents, though public details about their child remain limited.
Reijnders met Marina when both were 19. He proposed while on loan at RKC Waalwijk, and the couple married before moving to Milan. Marina, of Iraqi descent, worked as a nurse before the move and later gained attention in fashion.
What is Tijjani Reijnders’ Career Timeline?
- Youth: CSV Apeldoorn, PEC Zwolle, AZ Alkmaar
- Senior debut: AZ Alkmaar (2017)
- Loan to RKC Waalwijk: until 2020
- Move to AC Milan: July 2023 (five-year contract)
- AC Milan appearances: 87 appearances, 12 goals (all competitions, 2023-2025)
- Transfer to Manchester City: Summer 2025 (5-year contract until 2030)
- International debut: Netherlands national team (September 2023)
What is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Tijjani Reijnders?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Club career: AZ Alkmaar → AC Milan → Manchester City | Exact transfer fee (reported but not officially confirmed) |
| Age, height, nationality, position | Specific ethnicity and religious affiliation are often assumed but not formally documented by the player |
| International caps for Netherlands | Marital status and wife identity are common queries; only limited public confirmation exists |
| Name origin from Tijani Babangida | Full names of all family members (e.g., mother’s full name is Angelina, but other relatives are less documented) |
What is Tijjani Reijnders’ Playing Style and Significance?
Reijnders is a box-to-box midfielder with excellent passing accuracy, vision, and stamina. He is comfortable in both a holding and an advanced role, which allows him to contribute defensively and offensively. His transfer to Manchester City continues the club’s trend of signing versatile midfielders who can rotate under Pep Guardiola.
He brings experience from Serie A and the Champions League, having played key minutes for AC Milan. His ability to read the game and break up play makes him a valuable addition to a squad that already includes players like Bruno Guimarães – Age, Contract, Style of Play and 2025 Transfer News. Reijnders’ presence adds depth and tactical flexibility to City’s engine room.
Where Does Information About Tijjani Reijnders Come From?
Official sources include the Manchester City website and AC Milan’s announcements. Statistical data is primarily drawn from Wikipedia, Transfermarkt, and ESPN, which track player appearances, goals, and transfer history. Personal background details such as his mother’s Moluccan heritage and his name origin come from news articles and social media posts reviewed by multiple outlets.
Social media accounts, including his Instagram profile, offer visual content but limited verified biographical data. Public records and interviews provide the basis for information about his wife, early career struggles (including a period working at an Aldi store), and his father’s playing career.
What is Next for Tijjani Reijnders?
In the short term, Reijnders will aim to integrate fully into Pep Guardiola’s system and compete for regular minutes in the Premier League and Champions League. Long-term, he has the potential to become a mainstay in the Netherlands national setup for upcoming major tournaments. Fans can follow his progress via the official Manchester City channels and his social media. For comparison with another midfielder’s career path, see Barry Bannan – Biography, Transfer to Millwall and Net Worth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tijjani Reijnders
How old is Tijjani Reijnders?
He was born on 29 July 1998 and is 27 years old as of 2025.
What is Tijjani Reijnders’ height?
He is 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) tall.
What is Tijjani Reijnders’ shirt number at Manchester City?
He wears the number 4 shirt.
Which foot does Tijjani Reijnders prefer?
He is right-footed.
Does Tijjani Reijnders have children?
He and his wife Marina have a child, though public details are limited.
What is Tijjani Reijnders’ mother’s name?
His mother is Angelina Reijnders, of Indonesian (Moluccan) descent.
Does Tijjani Reijnders have siblings?
Yes, he has a younger brother, Eliano Reijnders, who is also a professional footballer.
What is Tijjani Reijnders’ birth sign?
He was born under the sign of Leo.
What is Tijjani Reijnders’ nationality?
He holds Dutch nationality and represents the Netherlands internationally.
Where did Tijjani Reijnders start his career?
He began in the youth systems of CSV Apeldoorn and PEC Zwolle before moving to AZ Alkmaar.
Freddie Harry Cooper Bennett is a staff writer for DailyPressUK.co.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Whitmore and UK Managing Editor Eleanor Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.