de Jong signing confirmed

Manchester City have completed the signing of Nigel de Jong on a four-and-a-half year contract.

The Dutch international had been in talks with City recently after they agreed a fee with Hamburg on Monday for his services.

De Jong becomes City's third signing of the winter transfer window following the arrivals of Wayne Bridge and Craig Bellamy.

The fee for the 24-year-old former Ajax midfielder, who has won 29 caps for his county, remains undisclosed.

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Again, confirmation of news we all expected and a good addition to the side I would say, adding much needed depth in that area and also allowing the option for Vincent Kompany to move back into central defence.

Hamburg manager Martin Jol has likened de Jong to Michael Carrick, and it also possible that both Kompany and de Jong can form a midfield partnership - although a definite 4-5-1 would have to be operated.

One issue regarding the signing though is the report of the £1.5 million release fee which would have come into being this summer. If this is the case, are we crying out so badly for de Jong (or this position) to offer around £15 million more just to secure him for half a season?

UPDATE 20:53 - Some comments from de Jong:

“I feel very good and for me it is the next step in my own career after three years in Germany and I hope to be successful here at Manchester City.

“The ideas and the planning behind this Club are very hopeful and it’s a new adventure so I’m delighted to be here right now.”

“The Stadium looks great and I think it can only be better when it’s full of people.

“I’m looking forward to playing here and everybody knows that the Premier League is maybe the biggest competition in the world.”