Nigel de Jong

Mainz have signed veteran defensive midfielder Nigel de Jong from Turkish outfit Galatsaray with immediate effect, the struggling German football club announced on Tuesday. The Netherlands international, whose running contract at Galatasaray has been voided, joins Mainz after putting pen to paper on a deal until the end of the season, reports Xinhua news agency. "Nigel de Jong is a leader, a fighter, but also a top professional. He can help the team with his tremendous experience. We are happy that we could win a player with his qualities," Mainz' sporting director Rouven Schroeder said.