Nigel De Jong's transfer to LA Galaxy is now official following the club's introductory press conference on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old Dutch midfielder has joined the MLS giants from Italian club AC Milan and admits he cannot wait to get started with his new club.
De Jong only arrived in Los Angeles recently and has undertaken just a couple of days training with the team but suggests he already feels at home in California.
“First of all I want to thank the team, the coach and everyone who made it possible for me to come over to LA," said the former Ajax, Hamburg and Manchester City man.
“Thank you very much for this warm welcome and also to my teammates for letting me feel already a part of the team.
“I'm looking forward to the season and let's see what we can do this year.
“It was not easy travelling from Europe to come straight into the team but I've had two good training days and got the first 55 minutes under my belt. I felt very good.
“It was easy to adapt to be honest. The guys were very easygoing. We've got a good staff who have made very welcome and for a player like me, who is well-known around the world, it is a good thing."
When asked what attracted him to the USA, De Jong said: “I think it is a total package what the United States can offer you apart from playing football.
“It is the lifestyle, it's the sport culture, it's the way people think about sport in general. It's not only soccer, you have so many sports out here and the sport culture is so big. I've always wanted to experience that.
“I played in four different countries already so my next step was always America. I always wanted to finish my career off in America and how good is it I can be here still in my prime.
“I can be a big asset and a big part of a team like LA Galaxy as well, the biggest team in America."
De Jong is clearly delighted with his choice as evidenced by his Twitter posts below:
If it wasn't official yet, well now it is #ThisIsLA #34 #Dedicationpic.twitter.com/8Gg29y8gEc
— Nigel de Jong (@NDJ_Official) February 16, 2016
#ManhattanBeach#WhatAView#CaliLifepic.twitter.com/elEtEhJZ4I
— Nigel de Jong (@NDJ_Official) February 17, 2016
