"I'm not here to replace Kevin de Bruyne" - New Man City signing Tijjani Reijnders

New Manchester City signing Tijjani Reijnders has disclosed that he is not at the club to replace Kevin De Bruyne.

De Bruyne left City at the end of the Premier League season on a free transfer to join Napoli on a two-year deal, where he will link up with former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Antonio Conte.

The 33-year-old made 422 appearances, scored 108 goals, and provided 177 assists for Man City across all competitions during his 10-year stay at the club.

Reijnders joined Man City from AC Milan for an initial fee of £46.5m

He clinched 19 major trophies, including the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Champions League, Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup.

Speaking to club media, Reijnders said: “I’m not here to replace him [De Bruyne]. I have to play my own game. But I take things from different players… with Kevin De Bruyne, how he was scanning the pitch, the passes he gave.

“That’s also a big thing, of course – the best coach in the world. I am very eager to learn new things here and the style of playing, and that’s what I’m looking forward to.”

Reijnders joined Man City from AC Milan for an initial fee of £46.5m.

The 26-year-old signed a five-year deal and became Pep Guardiola’s fourth summer signing following the arrival of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli and Rayan Cherki.

The Netherlands international is eligible for this month’s Club World Cup in America and could make his debut on June 18 against Wydad FC.

Reijnders, who was named Serie A midfielder of the year, racked up 54 appearances, scored 15 goals, and provided five assists for AC Milan, who finished eighth and failed to qualify for any European competition.

He is a dynamic No.8 who can also be deployed effectively as a defensive midfielder.

He moved to AC Milan from Eredivisie side AZ in 2023. The Dutchman played a key role for the Netherlands who reached the semi-finals of the 2024 European Championship.