Nigel De Jong Will Join The LA Galaxy Next Week

One way or another, a Milan player will ply his trade in Major League Soccer this year. Milan will weather another tough loss at midfield - Dutch defensive midfielder Nigel De Jong is apparently headed to the LA Galaxy, joining former Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, who crossed the pond last year.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Rossoneri released the player, who had extended his contract through 2018 last summer, and let him go to LA Galaxy on a free transfer. While the initial one-year deal is apparently worth less than one million. De Jong's contract includes an option to extend it for two more seasons with an increased salary. After losing midfielder Juninho and defender Omar Gonzalez to the Mexican league last month, the Galaxy needed a bruising presence iat midfield. They got one in De Jong, who, during a 14-year career spent in four countries, earned a reputation as one of the world's roughest players.

Reputation aside, the 31-year-old defensive midfielder has always been appreciated by Milanisti, thanks to his attitude on and off the field, and especially thanks to this goal in the Derby della Madonnina that had sealed Milan's last win over Inter Milan until the stomping they gave their most hated rivals yesterday.

#derbyamarcord
4 maggio 2014
Il gol di @NDJ_Official ​ regala l'ultimo successo #rossonero contro l' @Inter . pic.twitter.com/rRrfX9wqoB

— MilanNews.it (@MilanNewsit) January 28, 2016

He will most definitely be missed.