TIJJANI REIJNDERS: OUR FOCUS

Vision, physicality, personality and much more. Just mentioned are only a few of Tijjani Reijnders' main qualities. He is the fifth signing of the Rossoneri's transfer window, ready to strengthen the midfield under Pioli's instruction. The 1.85 m tall, right-footed 24-year-old Dutchman - born in Zwolle on 29 July - combines technique and consistency and is gifted with an excellent shot from distance, as well as good timing in his runs. His ability to cover various roles on the pitch with quality - mainly as a central midfielder, but also used as a trequartista - makes him a valuable all-rounder for the Rossoneri. 

Reijnders was part of his home-team, PEC Zwolle's academy, with whom he made his debut in the Eredivisie in August 2017, after a long journey with the youth teams and two loans at Twente and CSV'28. He came on in the final minutes of the 4-2 victory over Roda JC. Only a few days after his debut, Tijjani signed for AZ Alkmaar, who bought him and initially played him in the reserve team (known as Jong AZ Alkmaar) in the Dutch second division. After 92 appearances, with 19 goals and 13 assists, and another experience on loan, at RKC Waalwijk, he made it to the AZ Alkmaar first team, where he put himself on display on the European scene. 

With the Kaaskoppen, Tijjani enjoyed two seasons of consistent growth, finally shining in the season that's just passed. His first celebrations in the Eredivisie came on 19 September 2021, when he scored to make it 2-2 at Heracles Almelo, whilst his first brace came at the end of the year in the play-off final against Vitesse. This guaranteed a place in Europe in a return leg that ended 6-1 to Alkmaar. Numerous top performances accompanied his 54 appearances between the league and cup competitions in the 2022/23 season. A driving force for his team, he became irreplaceable: His 7 goals and 12 assists contributed to AZ's amazing season, which ended in fourth place in the league and the Conference League semi-finals. His goal against West Ham at the London Stadium was not enough to reach the final, but Reijnders' journey with his teammates must not be discredited, even eliminating Lazio in the Round of 16. 

The Zwolle native was included in the Top XI of the last Eredivisie season, a season in which he was a record-breaker for pass accuracy in the final third with an astonishing 83%. He was also the midfielder with the most dribbles completed in all of Europe last season. Representing your country is an objective of every professional footballer, and so far Reijnders has been involved in a few matches with the Netherlands' Under-20s. His first call-up to the Netherlands' senior team, however, came during the Nations League semifinals in May 2023. A good run with AC Milan can only increase his chances of also making his debut for Koeman's Oranje. Welcome Tijjani! 

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