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Dutchman Nigel De Jong was one of the most expensive signings at the start of the new era at Manchester City under Sheikh Mansoor. Manchester City paid around  £18m to sign the Dutch midfielder from German team Hamburg during the winter transfer window in 2009. Nigel De Jong was signed by Mark Hughes who would then deploy him as a midfield enforcer.

De Jong was signed by Manchester City at a time that the first team squad needed defensive reinforcements. He signed a four-and-a-half year contract when he joined the Citizens in January 2009 and was given the number 34 shirt at the club. Nigel De Jong made his Manchester City debut in the Premier League clash with Newcastle United on January 28, 2009. He played 16 times in the league during the second half of the 2009/10 season.

Dutch player Nigel De Jong was already a fans’ favourite by the end of his first full season at Manchester City under new manager Roberto Mancini. He was one of the first names on the teamsheet for Mancini. De Jong was named the best player on the pitch as Manchester City claimed a big scalp via a 2-1 win over Chelsea on December 5, 2009. His performance during the course of the season was not enough to propel Manchester City to a Champions League berth in his first full season at the club. The Citizens narrowly missed out on a place in the Champions League that season.

De Jong scored his first Manchester City goal in a 2-1 victory over West Ham United on May 1, 2011. Manchester City ended the 2010/11 season with the FA Cup title and De Jong played a big part. The Dutchman also played his part in Manchester City winning the 2011/12 Premier League title on the final day of the season in dramatic fashion.