Former Newcastle United midfielder Siem de Jong is set to retire at the end of the season. The 34-year-old, who signed for the Magpies from Ajax in 2014, spent three years on Tyneside before leaving in 2017.
De Jong, who was highly rated a youngster played a big part in Ajax's Eredevisie title winning side in 2010-11 and 2011-12 but couldn't quite find his feet at St. James' Park. That in part came down to his torrid luck with injuries, including a collapsed lung which ruled him out for a further two months.
He made 26 appearances in total scoring two goals during a three-year sting on Tyneside, before returning to his native Netherlands. The Dutch midfielder spent some time in the MLS and playing in Australia before returning to Holland in 2020.
READ MORE: Siem de Jong opens up on injury hell, Pardew's belief and why he regrets leaving Newcastle
A two-year stint with Heerenveen saw him get some regular football under his belt before moving to De Graafschap at the beginning of the current campaign on a one-year deal. The mid-table Erste Division club play their final game against Den Bosch this evening.
De Jong's younger brother Luuk also played at Newcastle in 2014 but neither would hit the heights expected of them. Luuk has arguably enjoyed a better career than his brother, scoring goals at PSV, Sevilla and Barcelona after leaving Newcastle.
Nonetheless, Siem still holds Newcastle in high regard and admitted in an exclusive interview with the Chronicle that he regrets leaving.
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