Former Manchester City player Tijjani Reijnders says Saudi move was for family financial security

Tijjani Reijnders, a former Manchester City midfielder, has said openly that financial considerations were a significant factor in his choice to leave the Premier League and sign with Al-Qadsiah of the Saudi Pro League. The 28-year-old made the move from Man City during the summer in a deal worth 52 million. He agreed a five-year contract with Al-Qadsiah, a club coached by Brendan Rodgers, and reports suggest he will earn approximately 86 million across those five years. Now about a month since arriving, Reijnders said: 'Once my playing career is over, I dont want to have to work anymore. Of course, I probably wouldnt 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. Im not going to lie about that. By signing this contract, I can make sure even my grandchildren are financially secure, so why wouldnt I do it?' He and his wife, Marina, have one son, Xavien. When asked in August about what drew him to the club, Reijnders pointed to money. He said at the time: 'Especially the ambition of the club (is what attracted me). The club wants to be the biggest in Asia, and what they did already in the past and what we can do now in the future, it triggered me a lot. And, yeah, I want to help the club to bring it to the highest level. 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. And, personally, I hope I can help the team as much as possible with goals and assists.' The Netherlands international has scored three goals in five Saudi Pro League appearances for Al-Qadsiah, who are also competing in the AFC Champions League. The team sits fourth in the Saudi Pro League, the same position it has finished in each of the past two seasons. Al-Qadsiah is owned by the Saudi Arabian Oil Company, a petroleum and natural gas company that is majority state-owned.