Mainz have confirmed that they have completed the signing of Sepp van den Berg on a season-long loan from Liverpool.
On returning to the Bundesliga, van den Berg said: “I had conversations with Mainz 05 and especially with Bo Svensson early on, I really like the way he sees football and wants to play here. Before I came here, I also talked to Jürgen Klopp – he raved about Mainz and said that I would feel very comfortable here. I’ve already been here at the stadium, know the fans and I’m looking forward to achieving something together with the team.”
Mainz coach, Bo Svensson also commented on the 21-year-old’s arrival: “Sepp is a young, eerily predisposed central defender who already has a lot: he has technology, understanding of the game, physicality and mentality. We had very good conversations and quickly had the feeling on both sides that it fits. Together we want to take Sepp to a new level and make it better in order to be able to develop his potential even further.”
This will be van den Berg second season in the Bundesliga after he spent last season on loan at Schalke. However, injuries restricted the 21-year-old to only nine games for Schalke. His move to Mainz will give van den Berg another chance in the Bundesliga and an environment where he will be able to develop without the pressure of relegation.
There will be a greater chance of game time at Mainz as well as the club has normally played a three-at-the-back system under Svensson with midfielder Edimilson Fernandes often playing in one of the centre-back positions. The arrival of van den Berg may allow Fernandes to play further forward.
van den Berg will be the first of potentially two former Schalke players to join the club. Midfielder Tom Krauß who also spent last season on loan at Schalke is set to join Mainz from parent club RB Leipzig.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
