Sporting KC Signs Defender Marcel de Jong

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Sporting KC announced on Monday that they have signed Canadian international defender Marcel de Jong. De Jong is the second player that Sporting KC has signed in the past week, after they signed 2015 MLS SuperDraft pick James Ansu Rogers last Wednesday.

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"“We continue to look to add experience in the players joining our roster,” Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes said. “Marcel’s time in the German Bundesliga and with the Canadian Men’s National Team will bring excellent experience to the team.”-Courtesy of Kurt Austin of SportingKC.com"

The 28 year-old de Jong began his professional career with Dutch team Helmond Sport in 2004. He managed 50 appearances with six goals for the team before he joined Roda JC in the summer of 2006.

De Jong made 115 appearances with three goals in his four years that spanned from 2006-2010 with Roda JC. De Jong then left the Dutch Eerste Divisie league to join German side FC Augsburg in May of 2010.

De Jong then spent from 2010 through early 2015 with FC Augsburg making 67 appearances with five goals. De Jong was unhappy with his role as a reserve for FC Augsburg during the 2014-2015 season and he and FC Augsburg mutually agreed to terminate his contract in January of 2015.

In total de Jong has 225 club appearances in ten professional seasons with 14 goals.

He then joined Sporting KC on an extended trial to earn a spot with the team. He appeared in four of Sporting KC’s preseason friendlies as an outside back, and made a good enough impression for the team to sign him.

"“I am happy to be here and I am looking forward to a great season with Sporting Kansas City,” de Jong said. “I hope that we can do well and achieve our goals.”-Courtesy of Kurt Austin of SportingKC.com More from Sporting Kansas CitySporting KC vs Austin FC Odds, Prediction and Pick (Two High-Powered Attacks Square Off)Sporting KC vs Real Salt Lake Odds, Prediction and Pick (Fireworks in Store Between Explosive Offenses)Sporting KC vs Houston Dynamo Odds, Prediction and Pick (Expect Tightly-Contested Match)KC Current Aim for Second Straight Upset Win Tonight vs. Racing LouisvilleFelipe Gutiérrez Rejoins Sporting KC as Club Welcomes Back 2019 Team MVP"

De Jong also has found success as a Canadian Men’s National Team player. He made his Canada international debut in 2003 with the under-17 Men’s National Team, and made five appearances. In 2004-2005 he played for the Canada under-20 Men’s National Team, and made 14 appearances with one goal.

He made his debut for the Canadian Men’s National Senior Team in November 2007. Since then he has managed 31 appearances with two goals.

Sporting KC’s depth at defense was exposed last season, and they have done everything they can to be sure that doesn’t happen again.

Sporting KC will likely still be looking for a defensive midfielder, and rumors are that they are pursuing Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart.

Sporting KC are set to begin their 20th Major League Soccer season on March 8th in a Fox Sports 1 nationally televised game against the New York Red Bulls.

Next: Sporting KC Signs James Ansu Rogers