Manchester City’s new signing, Tijjani Reijnders, has become an instant favorite among Nigerian football fans — not only for his midfield brilliance but also for the unique story behind his name.
The 27-year-old Dutchman, who joined the Premier League champions from AC Milan in a £46.3m deal, made headlines after scoring in City’s 4-0 win over Wolves. His performance was equally impressive, boasting 100% tackle success, 91% pass accuracy, and 52 completed passes.
The Story Behind His Name
Reijnders, son of former professional footballer Martin Reijnders and older brother to PEC Zwolle midfielder Eliano Reijnders, was named after Nigerian football legend Tijani Babangida.
His parents, both passionate football fans, were captivated by Babangida’s explosive displays for Ajax in the late 1990s. Babangida, a key figure for the Dutch giants, scored 49 goals in 175 appearances, winning the Eredivisie and two KNVB Cups. Inspired by his pace and flair, the Reijnders family named their son Tijjani — despite having no Nigerian roots.
Reijnders Connects with Babangida
In a heartwarming moment, Reijnders finally got to “meet” his childhood namesake through a video call arranged by his father. The Manchester City midfielder expressed his excitement at seeing the former Super Eagles winger, marking the first real connection between the two families since Babangida’s Ajax days.
Fans quickly reacted on social media:
@MAQERI001: “This guy is a baller.”
@YoungJonna22387: “He’s Dutch, not Nigerian… his parents just loved Tijani Babangida at Ajax and named him after him .”
@lokofromekiti: “I named my son after Ronaldo too. My son must play football.”
From Milan to Manchester
Reijnders joined City after a standout stint at AC Milan, where he arrived from AZ Alkmaar in 2023. His commanding presence in midfield and tactical intelligence have already shown why Pep Guardiola was eager to bring him in as part of City’s evolving squad.
The five-year contract underscores Guardiola’s continued strategy of signing technically gifted players suited for his high-tempo, possession-dominant system.
Babangida’s Legacy Lives On
While Reijnders begins his chapter in the Premier League, his namesake, Tijani Babangida, continues to inspire. The former Super Eagles star — now president of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria — was recently honored by Dutch side Roda JC, where he started his professional career, despite recently surviving a ghastly car accident on the Kaduna-Zaria highway.
For Nigerians, seeing Reijnders carry Babangida’s name on the global stage feels like football’s beautiful way of connecting generations.
