Former Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has admitted that financial security played a major role in his decision to leave the Premier League and join Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah.
The 28-year-old Netherlands international moved from Manchester City to Al-Qadsiah during the summer in a £52 million deal. He signed a five-year contract with the Saudi club, reportedly worth around £86 million in total.
A month into his time in Saudi Arabia, Reijnders openly acknowledged that the lucrative contract was a major factor behind his decision.
“Once my playing career is over, I don’t want to have to work anymore,” he said.
“Of course, I probably wouldn’t have needed to work anymore after my contract at Manchester City either, but this move allows me to secure the future of the next generations of my family.
“I’m not going to lie about that. By signing this contract, I can make sure even my grandchildren are financially secure, so why wouldn’t I do it?”
Reijnders, who has a son, Xavien, with his wife Marina, had previously spoken about what attracted him to Al-Qadsiah after completing the move in August.
He highlighted the club’s ambitions and his desire to compete for trophies, saying the team’s plans to become the biggest club in Asia appealed to him.
“I came here to try and win trophies with my teammates. We’re playing for four trophies, if I’m right. We want to win as many as possible, and we are all very eager to do that,” he said.
Reijnders has made an impressive start to life in Saudi Arabia, scoring three goals in five Saudi Pro League appearances for Al-Qadsiah, who also compete in the AFC Champions League.
The club currently sit fourth in the Saudi Pro League, having finished in the same position in each of the past two seasons.
Al-Qadsiah is owned by Saudi Aramco, the Saudi Arabian state-controlled oil and gas company.
