Nigel de Jong’s stint with the Galaxy officially ended Wednesday with the midfielder signing a two-year deal with Galatasaray of the Turkish Super League.

De Jong joined the Galaxy this season after leaving AC Milan in Italy’s Serie A. He was signed in February to a one-year deal with a contract “trigger” to become a Designated Player next season.

De Jong’s brief time with the Galaxy was eventful. Known for his rugged and fearless play in the midfield, de Jong, 31, made 18 appearances for the Galaxy, but also suffered a pair of multi-game suspensions for tackles on Portland’s Darlington Nagbe in April and Blas Perez in July.

The move, although it might hurt the Galaxy in the present, could give the team some much-needed flexibility in the off-season as it looks to replace one or possibly two Designated Player slots.

“We have the greatest respect for Nigel,” Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. “He’s been a terrific addition to our team, he’s a great professional, great teammate and when healthy and given a chance to play in this league, he’s been good. He’s a very good player. We don’t have an educated public that understands what he does. He’s been an important member of our team.”

Arena said Tuesday that de Jong was “pursuing an opportunity with our blessing.”

De Jong was making $500,000 this season. It has been reported that his salary with Galatasaray will be close to $3 million a year. He’s signed through 2018. He went through his first training session with his new club Wednesday.

De Jong is a two-time World Cup veteran for the Netherlands. Aside from AC Milan, he’s also played for Ajax, Hamburg and Manchester City.

He joins a Galatasaray club that’s currently off to a 2-0 start this season.

The move comes at a difficult time for the Galaxy with Gyasi Zardes (foot), Steven Gerrard (hamstring) and Jelle Van Damme (knee) all out, either for the season in Zardes’ case or a couple of weeks, for Gerrard and Van Damme.

Galaxy midfielder Mike Magee said he will miss de Jong’s toughness on the field.

“He was a great guy in the locker room and I don’t think you need me to tell you that he’s a great player,” Galaxy midfielder Mike Magee said. “He’s a winner. He’s not out there to (nut)meg people and score goals, he’s around there to cover for his teammates and make people around him better.”

Nigel de Jong in his first training session for Galatasaray. pic.twitter.com/Q0a64Kfcpg

— Galatasaray EN (@Galatasaray) August 31, 2016

Galaxy midfielder Nigel de Jong is currently in Turkey trying to finalize a move to Galatasaray, Galaxy coach Bruce Arena confirmed Tuesday.

Reports of the possible move surfaced Monday that de Jong, 31, was nearing a move to

the Turkish team. Initially, the Galaxy offered a no comment on the possible move. Arena elaborated a bit more on the potential move Tuesday.

“He’s pursuing an opportunity with our blessing,” Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said Tuesday. “He’s in Turkey. It either happens or it doesn’t.

“We have the greatest respect for Nigel. He’s been a terrific addition to our team, he’s a great professional, great teammate and when healthy and given a chance to play in this league, he’s been good. He’s a very good player. We don’t have an educated public that understands what he does. He’s been an important member of our team.”

According to the Major League Soccer Players Union, de Jong is making $500,000 this season. He joined the Galaxy this season and has made 18 appearances this season.

According to Dutch newspapers, Galaxy midfielder Nigel de Jong is preparing to join Turkish side Galatasaray before the transfer window closes.

DeJong joined the Galaxy at the end of the January transfer winder from AC Milan. He has made 18 appearances for the Galaxy.

Regarding the report, the Galaxy offered a “no comment.”

Nigel de Jong returned to game action in Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal and went 90 minutes.

De Jong had been out of action since July 4. He had missed the previous two league games due to red card suspension.

Arena said that de Jong will make the trip to Portland for Saturday’s game.

“His first game in some weeks and he played himself into the game,” Arena said. “It was important for him to play last night to get him ready for games down the road.”

It will be interesting to see if de Jong is in the first 11 on Saturday. Remember he was suspended for three games earlier this season for a tackle against Darlington Nagbe.