The LA Galaxy announced on Sunday that they have signed AC Milan midfielder Nigel De Jong.
Kevin Baxter of the LA Times reported Saturday night that De Jong was set to join the Galaxy on a $1 million contract, and the club have subsequently announced via their official website that "Nigel de Jong is heading to the LA Galaxy".
Contract terms not yet public
Terms of De Jong's contract have not been released yet, but the length of De Jong’s contract is rumoured to be only one year, financed partly through TAM from the league. There is also an option for the next two seasons, with De Jong potentially taking the designated player spot from Steven Gerrard should the veteran retire this season.
De Jong's pedigree
The 31-year-old holding midfielder has played with some of the biggest teams in Europe in the past few years, such as Ajax, where he started his career, Manchester City and Milan.
De Jong was part of the Man City team that won the Premier League in 2012 and the FA Cup the year before. Whilst at Ajax, De Jong won the Eredivisie title in 2004 and the following year the midfielder was named Ajax Player of the Year.
The now former Rossoneri midfielder has represented Holland for almost 12 years now, and featured for the Oranje in the 2010 World Cup final. There, De Jong infamously karate kicked Xabi Alonso, but did not receive red.
Third January signing
De Jong is the Galaxy’s third signing of the January transfer window along with Ashley Cole and Jelle van Damme, who both signed for the LA earlier this month.
All three players have vast experience in Europe, and none were signed under the DP ruling, meaning that LA have decreased their wage cap drastically this winter.
All three players are expected in Southern California this week to join up with Bruce Arena’s team.