It may not have the history of the Tyne-Wear derby or rival the hatred between Ajax and PSV, but the Sydney derby is arguably the most atmospheric fixture in Australian sport and is set to take place twice this month alone.

Fresh off a victorious FFA Cup debut against Avondale, De Jong is eagerly anticipating upcoming clashes with his latest crosstown rival both in the FFA Cup and in the A-League.

"I’ve played in a few derbies in Europe, they’re nice games to play in and I’ve heard the Sydney Derby draws a good crowd," De Jong told FTBL.

"They’re special games for us players and even more important for the fans. We know how much the supporters appreciate it if you can win these games."

While the former Ajax captain admits he doesn’t know a great deal about the Wanderers, he does know a current Western Sydney midfielder from his playing days at Ajax.

"I don’t know the whole (Wanderers) team yet, but I do know Roly Bonevacia," he said. "We played together at Ajax and I’ve spoken to him a little bit about Sydney since I arrived here.

"Derbies are always great games to play in and I’m looking forward to them. Hopefully we can win them for the fans and for Sydney."

One Dutchman who influenced De Jong’s decision to move down under is former Sydney FC centre-back and fan favourite Jordy Buijs.

Buijs and De Jong lined up against each other at a young age and have crossed paths outside of football on a few occasions.

"I know Jordy pretty well," De Jong revealed. "A good friend of mine is a really good friend of his so naturally I called to ask him how it was here.

"He said Sydney’s a beautiful city, and that Sydney FC is a great environment to play in with nice people working here.

"He told me the one big difference here is that unlike in Europe, football is not the biggest sport in Australia - so that’ll be a big change.

"But I’m enjoying it here – Sydney FC is a club that wants to win trophies. For me, that’s a big part of why I came to Sydney as well."

A natural playmaker, De Jong was marked on the team sheet as an attacking midfielder against Avondale but spent a large quantity of the match on the right where he linked up impressively with Rhyan Grant.

While it isn’t certain where De Jong will spend most of his time on the park for Sydney FC, the Dutchman admitted coach Steve Corica is expecting him to play two roles in the upcoming season.

"The manager spoke to me about two positions, one as an attacking midfielder and another as a second striker," he said.

"I’ve played both roles quite a bit in my career and as a striker for a few years, but for me the way we play at Sydney is still a bit new.

"I haven’t played this system in my career yet but I think its a good one for me. I need to get used to the team and they need to get used to me, but that will come with time."

He added: "For now we need to connect more, we’re talking to each other a lot and I’m getting to know the players pretty well now.

"For me its about getting as many games in and adapting to the team as quickly as possible."

Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers go head to head in a blockbuster FFA Cup semi final at Penrith Stadium on Saturday night before meeting again in the A-League on  October 27.