Former Netherlands international Nigel de Jong joins Mainz from Galatasaray
Bundesliga strugglers Mainz have completed the signing of 81-time Netherlands international Nigel de Jong from Turkish giants Galatasaray.
De Jong, who boasts 66 Bundesliga appearances from his time at Hamburg between 2006 and 2009, has put pen to paper on a contract until summer 2018 at the Opel Arena.
"I like Mainz's story, the club has established itself in the Bundesliga off its own back," said de Jong upon the announcement of the deal. "I want to help the team and the club achieve its aims this season and I can only thank Sandro Schwarz and Rouven Schröder for giving me the chance here. I'm really pleased to be back in the Bundesliga, one of Europe's top leagues."
"Nigel is a leader and a fighter, but has a cool head and is very professional," said Mainz sporting director Schröder. "He's going to help the team with his experience and give us a real boost ahead of the second half of the season. We're really pleased to bring in a player of his quality."
The Dutchman, who joined the Super Lig side after spells with Manchester City, AC Milan and LA Galaxy, had fallen out of favour in Istanbul this season and was not given a squad number.
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De Jong was part of the Oranje squad that reached the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, losing 1-0 to Spain after extra time.
Having recently allowed Fabian Frei to join Swiss side Basel, Mainz have acted swiftly to plug the gap in holding midfield. De Jong becomes the club's second signing of the transfer window, after Anthony Ujah.