De Jong seals AC Milan switch

Last updated : 31 August 2012 By team talk

AC Milan have confirmed the signing of Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong on a three-year deal.

The 27-year-old, who joined the Premier League champions from Hamburg in 2009, underwent a medical on Friday morning before completing the move to the San Siro. A short statement on Milan's website read: "AC Milan announces that it has bought outright Manchester City's Nigel de Jong, who has signed a contract until June 30, 2015." De Jong, who has been given the number 34 shirt, goes straight into the squad for Saturday's Serie A match at Bologna. The Holland international made 137 appearances for City during his three and a half years with the club. De Jong had struggled to find top form with City over the past couple of seasons, which have been blighted by problems sorting out a new contract. He becomes the second signing of the week for Milan, who also agreed a season-long loan deal for Roma striker Bojan Krkic. The transfer will go some way towards appeasing Rossoneri fans, who were unhappy to see the club offload the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Motta and Antonio Cassano over the summer. Former Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi, who retired at the end of last season and now coaches the club's youth team, believes De Jong will be a good addition to the squad. "He'll be very useful, I'm happy he's here," he said. "I'm happy, AC Milan is a great club and they are a new important chance for me in my life," De Jong told Sky Sports Italia. "Everyone knows AC Milan's history. Everyone wants to play for AC Milan as a child. "With this team we can compete both in Italy and in Europe, we have so many good players." AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani told Italian TV 7 Gold of his delight: "We think De Jong is one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe. "We believe we are making a good last market week with Niang, Bojan and De Jong. We thank president Silvio Berlusconi, who again has built a competitive AC Milan to win the Scudetto. "(AC Milan coach, Massimiliano) Allegri has to worry now because our goal is no longer the third place, but the first. Among the players arrived in Italy from abroad, De Jong is the best."

Source: team talk

Source: team talk