Galatasaray have signed Nigel de Jong from LA Galaxy on a two-year contract.
A Major League Soccer source told ESPN FC earlier this week that it was "quite likely" that a deal would go through before the close of the transfer window.
And Galatasaray confirmed news of the move for De Jong, who joined Galaxy from AC Milan just prior to the 2016 season, via their official Twitter account on Thursday.
CONFIRMED: Galatasaray have signed Nigel De Jong on a two-year contract from @LAGalaxy | https://t.co/W8VJnRdhEX pic.twitter.com/bOH4CjBB7K
- Galatasaray EN (@Galatasaray) August 31, 2016
De Jong's contract with Galaxy had him poised to become a Designated Player at the end of the campaign, taking the place of Steven Gerrard who is widely expected to retire.
According to data from the MLS Players Union, De Jong made $500,000 this season, and had he remained with Galaxy, not only would he have received a salary increase into the multi-million dollar range, but LA would have been at the maximum number of Designated Players (three). For that reason, Galaxy have let the tough-tackling midfielder move on.
De Jong reunites with former Netherlands international teammate Wesley Sneijder at Galatasaray as well as with manager Jan Olde Riekerink, who coached at Ajax during De Jong's days there as a youth player.
