Eliano Reijnders Chooses Persib Bandung Amid Transfer Speculation, Coach Hodak Reacts

 

Indonesian international winger Eliano Reijnders is set to join Persib Bandung in the BRI Super League, according to Dutch outlet De Stentor. The 24-year-old has opted for a move to the Bandung-based club despite reported interest from other Indonesian sides, including Bali United.

Reijnders was absent from PEC Zwolle’s training session on Wednesday morning, with the Eredivisie club granting him permission to finalize his transfer. The younger brother of Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders remains under contract with Zwolle until 2027 but has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter under head coach Henry van der Vegt.

A product of PEC Zwolle’s academy, Reijnders has been with the club since 2016, making 113 senior appearances across all competitions, tallying seven goals and seven assists over 6,614 minutes of play. Versatile across multiple attacking positions, he has also earned three caps for Indonesia, making his debut in October 2024 during the World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifiers against Bahrain.

Persib coach Bojan Hodak, however, responded to the reports with humor when asked about the move.

“Who? Reijnders, the player from Manchester City? He’s coming here?” he joked. “I don’t believe anything until the boss speaks about the player and we make it official.”

Should the transfer be completed, it would mean both Reijnders brothers are representing clubs with blue as their primary color — Tijjani at Manchester City and Eliano at Persib Bandung.

The move could mark a fresh chapter for Eliano Reijnders, offering him the chance to establish himself as a key figure in Indonesian football while strengthening Persib’s ambitions in the BRI Super League.