Tijjani Reijnders – Biography, Stats & Man City Transfer

Tijjani Reijnders, the Dutch midfielder who joined Manchester City in the summer of 2025, has quickly become a name of interest far beyond his performances on the pitch. From his multicultural heritage to his private family life, fans and analysts alike have sought clarity on the person behind the player. His ethnicity, background, career path, and the rumors surrounding him are examined here.

Born in Zwolle, Netherlands, Reijnders carries a mixed Dutch and Indonesian identity through his mother, who hails from the Moluccan community. His first name itself is a tribute – named after Nigerian winger Tijani Babangida, an Ajax star his parents admired.

After developing at AZ Alkmaar and making his mark at AC Milan, Reijnders earned a high-profile transfer to the Premier League champions. His move, his family, and even an unexplained black eye rumor continue to generate search traffic.

What Is Tijjani Reijnders’ Ethnicity and Background?

• Tijjani Reijnders is a Dutch midfielder who joined Manchester City in summer 2025 on a five-year contract.
• His ethnic background includes Indonesian (Moluccan) roots through his mother; his father is Dutch.
• Proud of his Indonesian identity, he could have represented Indonesia internationally but chose the Netherlands.
• His wife Marina is of Iraqi descent; the couple have a son and are expecting a second child.
• The black eye inquiry appears to be an unsubstantiated rumor with no credible evidence.

What is his ethnicity?

Tijjani Reijnders is of mixed Dutch and Indonesian ethnicity. His mother, Angelina Reijnders, comes from the Moluccan community in Indonesia. His father, Martin Reijnders, is Dutch. He has expressed pride in his Indonesian heritage and could have chosen to represent Indonesia internationally, but he opted for the Netherlands.

What is his religion?

Tijjani Reijnders’ personal religion is not publicly disclosed. While his family background includes Indonesian (often associated with Islam or Christianity) and Iraqi heritage (also often associated with Islam or Christianity), no official statement or reliable source confirms his faith.

His name was inspired by Nigerian former Ajax winger Tijani Babangida, indicating his parents’ admiration for players of African descent.

Who Are Tijjani Reijnders’ Family Members?

Parents: Father and Mother

Tijjani’s father is Martin Reijnders, a former professional footballer who played for PEC Zwolle (Netherlands), Nashville Metros (USA), and in Finland. Martin now serves as Tijjani’s agent. His mother is Angelina Reijnders (also spelled Angelina), of Indonesian Moluccan descent. Both parents have been supportive of his career from an early age.

Siblings

Tijjani has a younger brother, Eliano Reijnders, who is also a professional footballer and currently plays for Persib Bandung in Indonesia. He also has a younger sister named Syane Reijnders, who is a talented dancer.

Wife and Children

Tijjani Reijnders is married to Marina Reijnders Gourgis, a fashion and lifestyle content creator of Iraqi descent. The couple met in late 2018 or early 2019 and were married on June 7, 2022. They have one son, Xavién, born in early 2024, and announced they are expecting their second child in 2026.

Marina works as a motherhood influencer and often shares glimpses of their family life. Tijjani has described them as “childhood sweethearts.”

Syane Reijnders and Marina Reijnders

Syane Reijnders is confirmed as Tijjani’s younger sister and a dancer. Marina Reijnders (née Gourgis) is his wife. Both names appear frequently in search queries but are now clarified with reliable sources.

Did Tijjani Reijnders Join Manchester City?

Transfer to Manchester City

Yes. According to the official Manchester City website and multiple reports, Tijjani Reijnders became the club’s fourth signing of summer 2025. He signed a five-year deal until 2030. The transfer fee is reportedly worth £46.5 million.

Transfer Fee

While the exact figure has not been officially disclosed in full by the club, reliable football media outlets report a fee of around £46.5 million. The figure aligns with Manchester City’s valuation of a proven midfielder with top-level experience.

Some sources continue to speculate about a lower fee (€20-30 million), but the £46.5 million figure is the most commonly cited by credible reporting.

What Are Tijjani Reijnders’ Playing Stats and Position?

Position

He plays as a central midfielder. He is capable of operating in both box-to-box and defensive midfield roles, known for his ball progression, passing range, and work rate.

Age and Physical Attributes

Born 29 July 1998, he is 26 years old (as of 2025). Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in). Weight: 78 kg.

Career Stats

During the 2024/25 season, he scored 15 goals in 54 appearances across all competitions, averaging a goal every 3.6 matches. That was a significant jump from his previous best of 7 goals in 54 games during his final season at AZ Alkmaar. Detailed season-by-season stats are available on Transfermarkt and ESPN.

Why Does Tijjani Reijnders Have a Black Eye?

The Black Eye Inquiry

No confirmed reports or credible images explain a black eye. This appears to be an unsubstantiated rumor or a misinterpretation of a photograph. No reliable source confirms any injury or incident involving a black eye.

Career Progression of Tijjani Reijnders

1. 2017–2021 – AZ Alkmaar youth and senior career, including a loan to RKC Waalwijk.
2. 2021–2025 – AC Milan (won the 2024–25 Supercoppa Italiana).
3. Summer 2025 – Transferred to Manchester City for a reported £46.5 million, signing a five-year contract.
4. 2025–present – Premier League and Champions League appearances; started all six matches for the Netherlands at Euro 2024.

What Is Certain and What Remains Unclear About Tijjani Reijnders?

What Is the Broader Context of Reijnders’ Move and Style?

Tijjani Reijnders is known for his ball progression, passing range, and work rate in midfield. At Manchester City, he is expected to compete for a starting role alongside Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne. His signing reflects City’s strategy of acquiring versatile midfielders with top-league experience. For the Dutch national team, his development could be key for upcoming European Championship qualifiers and beyond.

What Do the Sources Say About Tijjani Reijnders?

“Tijjani Reijnders was Manchester City’s fourth signing of summer 2025, arriving on a five-deal which keeps him at the Club until 2030.”

– Manchester City Official

“Date of birth/Age: 29/07/1998 (27). Citizenship: Netherlands. Height: 1,78 m; Position: Central.”

– Transfermarkt

“HT/WT 1.78 m, 78 kg. Birthdate 29/7/1998 (27). Nationality Netherlands.”

– ESPN

Note: The ESPN and Transfermarkt sources list height as 1.78 m, while Wikipedia and the official Manchester City article list 1.85 m. This discrepancy may be due to measurement methods, but the 1.85 m figure appears in more recent official reports.

Summary: What Have We Learned About Tijjani Reijnders?

Tijjani Reijnders is a Dutch central midfielder of Indonesian-Moluccan descent who joined Manchester City in summer 2025. His personal life – including his wife Marina, son Xavién, and second child on the way – is well-documented through his own and his wife’s social media. The black eye rumor remains unsubstantiated. For fans wanting to explore similar biographical profiles of young footballers, the story of another promising defender, Jarell Quansah, may also be of interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

For a look at another young footballer navigating injury and return, you can read about Lewis Miley.