Sydney FC have signed former Premier League player Siem de Jong as their marquee player on a season-long loan from Dutch giants Ajax.

The former Netherlands international, who can play as attacking midfielder or striker, scored two goals in six national team appearances and captained Ajax for two seasons.

He won four Eredivisie league titles in his first spell with the club from 2008 to 2014 and also played in the Champions League.

The 29-year-old De Jong tallied 22 appearances for Newcastle United in two Premier League campaigns, before being loaned to Dutch side PSV.

He returned to Ajax for the 2017-18 season where he was used largely off the bench but still boasts a handy average of one goal every three games.

“Siem is a technically gifted footballer and one I believe can be instrumental in success for us this season,” Sydney FC coach Steve Corica said. “He scores goals and creates them for others as well.”

De Jong said he saw a lot of similarities between the Sky Blues and Ajax. “They’re both leaders in their league with a reputation for silverware and I want to uphold that here,” he said.

De Jong will wear Sydney’s No 22 jersey, while fellow import and former Reading striker Adam le Fondre takes over the No 9 shirt from Brazilian Bobô, who left the club after setting an A-League goalscoring record last season.

Sydney still have one import spot left to fill for the 2018-19 A-League season. The defending champion Sky Blues advanced to the last eight of the FFA Cup with a 2-1 away win over Cairns on Tuesday.