“It’s a boy’s dream” – Manchester City’s new signing relishing Premier League challenge | OneFootball

Manchester City’s midfield signing Tijjani Reijnders is excited by the prospect of testing his calibre in the Premier League and integrating into Pep Guardiola’s squad.

The 26-year-old Netherlands international has joined the 2023 treble winners for an initial €55 million transfer fee, rising to €65 million through ‘easily achievable’ bonuses, while more ‘difficult’ bonuses could take the deal to €70 million.

City had identified Reijnders as a priority addition to their midfield ranks heading into the summer transfer window and the Blues have got their man in time for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup campaign in the United States.

Hugo Viana has not wasted any time to showcase his prospects as the newly-appointed director of football, with Manchester City announcing four new signings in the space of days to bolster Guardiola’s squad for the years to come.

Reijnders joins in at the Etihad Stadium alongside English goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, Algerian left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri and France’s exciting attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki – with Manchester City getting a huge chunk of their summer transfer business done early.

Speaking to the club’s in-house media team in the aftermath of completing the transfer, Reijnders has lifted the lid on what it was about Manchester City that has attracted him to the Etihad Stadium.

“Everybody knows how Manchester City is playing in general with the style. Being dominant and playing attacking football. That’s what suits me the best,” Reijnders said.

The midfielder has been named in Manchester City’s 27-player travelling squad to the United States for the Club World Cup, which would see Reijnders make his club debut in the opening group-stage fixture against Wydad AC next week.

The Dutchman added: “I’m like a box-to-box midfielder who likes to join the build-up from the back and eventually to feed attackers and create chances. Also trying to score myself sometimes.”

Relishing the challenging of testing his talent in the English top-flight, Reijnders said: “Everybody knows it (the Premier League) is the biggest competition in the world. It’s a boy’s dream to play in the Premier League.”

“Playing in the Premier League, at that intensity, I want to feel the energy,” he added.

“I think you have to think even quicker here (in England), especially when you play for Manchester City – the spaces are even smaller. So that’s where I want to develop more and I’m looking forward to it.”