‘Aldi to Man City’ – Tijjani Reijnders was named after World Cup star, worked in supermarket and idolised Kevin De Bruyne

It appears that evidently Manchester Metropolis couldn’t have discovered a extra good substitute for Kevin De Bruyne.

Manchester Metropolis have confirmed the signing of Tijjani Reijnders in a £46.3million deal from AC Milan.

Reijnders has put pen to paper on a five-year deal on the Etihad – and has been signed in time to compete within the upcoming FIFA Membership World Cup, which begins this weekend.

Reijnders, who was named after former Ajax winger and Nigeria worldwide Tijani Babangida, will look to fill the gaping gap left in Pep Guardiola’s squad by the departure of De Bruyne, who mentioned an emotional goodbye final month.

He departed Man Metropolis as a membership legend, scoring 108 objectives and aiding 177 extra, whereas additionally successful six Premier League titles and the Champions League amongst many different trophies.

It left many questions over whether or not there’ll ever be one other participant like De Bruyne on the Etihad, and even the Premier League as a complete, once more.

However, though the Belgians’ achievements will possible by no means be replicated, Metropolis might nicely have simply discovered the proper different.

Reijnders revealed in Could that he has truly idolised De Bruyne all through his profession, proving this transfer was simply meant to be.

Chatting with the Athletic final month, he mentioned: “Once I bought older, I appeared [up] quite a bit to Kevin De Bruyne. I watched his video games, YouTube clips.

“Particularly the best way he was scanning the pitch earlier than he will get the ball so he at all times is aware of the place the area is. I attempt to do the identical.”

Reijnders, who joined AC Milan from Feyenoord in 2023, has been a mainstay within the workforce and reached a brand new degree final season, successful Serie A Midfielder of the 12 months.

Taking part in in a wide range of midfield roles, the 26-year-old confirmed off his box-to-box talents, carrying the ball ahead and arriving within the space, along with his technical potential shining.

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He scored 15 objectives in all competitions, which was truly probably the most objectives scored by a midfielder throughout Europe’s top-five leagues, sitting forward of Scott McTominay.

In Serie A, he accomplished over 87 per cent of his passes all through the marketing campaign, proving he has an intricate aspect to his play too.

The Dutchman was additionally concerned in an enormous quantity of build-up play for Milan, averaging 2.6 involvements in open-play possibilities per recreation, the joint-third most within the AC squad.

And when taking a look at Metropolis’s dominance on the ball throughout video games and skill to move the ball, transfer and hyperlink up by deep-lying defences, Reijnders ought to match proper in.

Mockingly, having joined a membership recognized for spending huge sums of cash, Reijnders was raised understanding the worth of cash.

Whereas he was on the books of Zwolle and shutting in on his senior debut, he was inspired by his mother and father to work within the native grocery store.

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“I feel his mum noticed a emptiness within the Aldi retailer after which she requested Tijjani to fill out the shape,” Danielle Rijksen, workforce supervisor of CSV’28, instructed the Premier League web site.

“His mother and father mentioned, ‘It’s a must to expertise how it’s to work on your cash. For those who do make it as an expert participant, you shouldn’t take materials issues as a right.'”

Removed from shying away from his upbringing, Reijnders himself instructed Dutch NOS in 2023: “Sure, it is so humorous. I just lately seen an article ‘from beginner to AC Milan’. However once I give it some thought, I like ‘from Aldi to AC Milan’ even higher!”

“I used to be speaking to my household about that distinction, and from that we concluded that that point at Aldi has been superb for me. I’ve seen each side of the coin.”

His swap to the Premier League may now see him fulfil the prediction of Netherlands and Milan legend Frank Rijkaard.

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Talking in November after Milan had overwhelmed Actual Madrid on the Bernabeu within the Champions League with Reijnders scoring, the icon spoke of his excessive hopes.

Rijkaard mentioned to La Gazzetta dello Sport: “I hope that Reijnders turns into top-of-the-line midfielders on the earth…I sincerely imagine he is already on the fitting path.”

He added: “I actually like his fashion of play. He can cowl all roles within the midfield and exhibits his generosity: he by no means holds again from a run for the workforce and at all times offers his finest.

“With the standard he has, he is glorious at creating harmful possibilities for his teammates and establishing the play nicely.”

So, Reijnders seems to be a jack of all trades, which ought to match properly into Guardiola’s system that may see Rodri welcomed again subsequent marketing campaign.

With Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic ageing, and De Bruyne gone, Man Metropolis are in want of a more energizing face to affix their midfield ranks.

Nico Gonzalez ought to function extra subsequent season, however probably as second fiddle to Rodri, with Reijnders slotting in additional ahead.

Man Metropolis might have misplaced a legend, however they’ll hope his substitute, who moulds his recreation round De Bruyne, can write his personal story.