The 29-year-old has signed a three-year deal, and arrives in time to jet off to America with the rest of the squad on Tuesday.

Born in Geboorteplaats, the former Holland Under 21 international was this summer released by Vitesse Arnhem, where he began his career in 1997 in the first of two spells.

After five years with Arnhem, interrupted only by a brief loan spell with Fortune Sittard in 1999, he was finally persuaded to make the step up and join Guus Hiddink's PSV Eindhoven in 2002.

Van der Schaaf hit the ground running at the Phillips Stadion, making his Champions League debut against Auxerre in September 2002, which he followed up with a debut goal in Europe's top club competition a month later in the 3-1 home defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

Playing alongside the likes of Mateja Kezman, Arjen Robben, Dennis Rommedahl and Wilfred Bouma, the Dutchman went on to make four starts in the competition in two successive seasons.

He was also an unused substitute in the 2005 semi final against AC Milan, who won the two-legged tie on away goals before losing a thrilling final against Liverpool on penalties.

However, the 6ft 1in midfielder constantly found domestic starts hard to come by, and after making a total of just 40 Eridivisie appearances in three years with PSV he was eventually persuaded to rejoin Vitesse in the summer of 2005.

Van Der Schaaf immediately stamped his mark at his old stomping ground, making 33 appearances in his first season back and establishing himself as a key player.

An injury hit 2006/07 campaign saw him make just 10 starts, but he returned with a vengeance in his final season with the Dutch side, making 29 starts and scoring three goals.