De Jong leaves Hamburg for City

Manchester City FC have made Hamburger SV midfield player Nigel de Jong their latest major recruit after signing the Dutch international for an undisclosed fee, which is reported in Germany to be €19.5m.

'Dream'
The versatile 24-year-old has penned a four-and-a-half year contract with the UEFA Cup contenders, ending a three-year stay in the Bundesliga following his €1.5m arrival from AFC Ajax in January 2006. "I'm joining one of the best clubs in the Premier League," De Jong said. "The league is very strong, many stars play there. When I was a kid I dreamed of playing in England one day. Also, I think I my playing style will really fit in England. I'm grateful I have always had the support of the fans here in Hamburg, even in the beginning when things did not go so smoothly. I want to say thanks for that and I will always keep the [HSV] diamond in my heart."

New arrivals
De Jong has played just seven league matches this season after tearing ligaments in his left knee in November as he returned to training having overcome an identical injury. He suffered the original injury when winning his 29th cap for the Netherlands on 11 October and has not featured since. City, who have also signed Wayne Bridge and Craig Bellamy in big-money moves this month, return to the UEFA Cup with a Round of 32 tie against FC København in February.