LA Galaxy newcomer Nigel de Jong ready to embrace 'total' sports culture

The LA Galaxy's newest star midfielder Nigel de Jong says he is ready to showcase his "winner's mentality" as he and his teammates prepare to kick off the 2016 MLS season.

De Jong joins the Galaxy with a bit of a reputation, having earned plenty of criticism for his studs-up chest kick on Xabi Alonso during the 2010 World Cup final. Since that time, the former AC Milan bruiser has accepted the labels, or rather, rejected them entirely.

"It's not about the reputation. It's about the winner's mentality that you have to show on the pitch," De Jong told reporters. "Because at the end of the day, it's about winning. To me, there's never been a problem in my career. I'm not really a talker outside the pitch. So I'll do my best on the pitch and let my feet speak. And do the best I can do for my team."

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De Jong, signed alongside Ashley Cole and Jelle Van Damme, will need to help the Galaxy shore up its defensive ranks after the club parted ways with stud defender Omar Gonzalez. He has two talented midfield partners to combine with alongside Steven Gerrard and Giovani Dos Santos, but De Jong says he's most looking forward to embracing the lifestyle in Los Angeles.

"I think it's a total package," De Jong said. "If you see what the United States can offer you, apart from playing football as well. It's the lifestyle. It's a sports culture. It's the way that people think about sports in general. It's not only soccer. You've got so many sports out here, the sports culture is so big, and I always wanted to experience that.

"I've played in four different countries already so my next step has always been America. I always wanted to finish my career off in America. How good is it that I can be here, instead, in my prime, and be a big asset and a big part of a team like the LA Galaxy as well, the biggest team in the league?"