The following is a press release from the LA Galaxy.
Midfielder Nigel de Jong Joins LA Galaxy
CARSON, Calif. (Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016) – The LA Galaxy have acquired Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM), the club announced today. De Jong, a two-time FIFA World Cup veteran, joins after most recently featuring for Manchester City and A.C. Milan. He will be added as an International to the team’s roster pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa.
“Nigel is an experienced midfielder who will help the players around him get better,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena. “He will add qualities on the field that can strengthen our team in all areas. We look forward to Nigel coming to Los Angeles and joining our club.”
De Jong, 31, began his professional career in 2002 and has featured in top leagues across Europe, including stints with Ajax (Netherlands), Hamburger SV (Germany), Manchester City (England), and A.C. Milan (Italy). He has played in multiple FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro, and UEFA Champions League matches during his professional and international career.
The Dutchman’s career started in his native country when he joined Ajax in 2002, scoring his first professional goal a year later in a UEFA Champions League match against Arsenal. He went on to make nearly 100 appearances for Ajax, while leading the team to the Eredivisie title during the 2003-04 season. He also earned honors as the Ajax Player of the Season in 2004.
In 2006, de Jong moved to the Bundesliga when he signed with Hamburger SV and featured for the German side through 2009, making over 60 appearances. De Jong then joined Manchester City in the Barclay’s Premier League, where he played from 2009-12 and won the Barclay’s Premier League title (2011-12) and an FA Cup trophy (2010-11).
His most recent stint was in Italy with Serie A side A.C. Milan, where he went on to become the club’s team captain, making 79 league appearances from 2012-2015.
Internationally, de Jong has featured extensively for the Netherlands since his debut in 2004, making 81 international appearances overall. He represented the Dutch at the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and 2014 and helped his country qualify in 2006 before suffering an injury that kept him out of the tournament. In 2010, he helped lead Netherlands to the FIFA World Cup Final.
Transaction: LA Galaxy acquire Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong as a Discovery Signing using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM).
Name: Nigel de Jong
Pronunciation: NIGH-jell deh YONG
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-9
Weight: 160 lbs.
Born: Nov. 30, 1983
Age: 31
Hometown: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Last Club: A.C. Milan (Italy)
Citizenship: Netherlands
The Galaxy will kick off the 2016 MLS Regular Season at StubHub Center on Sunday, March 6, against D.C. United (7 p.m. PT, UniMás). LA Galaxy Season Ticket Memberships for the 2016 MLS season are available for purchase now. Season Ticket Members and Galaxy fans can go to www.lagalaxy.com/tickets/seasontickets or call 877-3GALAXY (342-5299) to secure their 2016 LA Galaxy Season Ticket package.
Becoming a 2016 LA Galax Season Ticket Member gives fans the opportunity to receive a number of benefits, including discounted pricing, LA Galaxy Team Store discounts, access to the 2016 Season Ticket Member Event, season tickets to LA Galaxy II, early game day stadium access and access to LA Galaxy Champions League matches, among other exclusive benefits. For more information, visit www.lagalaxy.com/tickets/seasontickets or call an LA Galaxy representative at 877-3GALAXY (342-5299).
