Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg has joined Mainz 05 on loan for the 2023-24 season.
The 21-year-old joined Liverpool in 2019 but has spent the majority of his time on the club's books out on loan.
Having spent last term at Schalke 04, Van den Berg will now return to Bundesliga for the 2023-24 campaign having put pen to paper on a temporary deal with Mainz.
The German outfit have also opened the door for the move to be made permanent, with their announcement of the deal stating: "There is the possibility that his stay at Mainz will be over a longer period of time, the basis for this will remain undisclosed by both clubs."
Speaking about the move to the Mainz official website, Van den Berg said: "I had conversations with Mainz 05 and especially with [manager] Bo Svensson early on, and I really like the way that he sees football and wants to play football here.
"Before I came here, I obviously also spoke with Jurgen Klopp – he waxed lyrical about Mainz and said that I would feel completely at home here.
"I have been to the stadium before, know the fans and am looking forward to achieving something together with the team."
Welcome to Mainz, Sepp van den Berg! ❤️🤍#Mainz05 pic.twitter.com/pGyrFkmYIX
— Mainz 05 English (@Mainz05en) July 13, 2023
Manager Bo Svensson added: "Sepp is a young, unbelievably talented centre-back, who already possesses a lot of good qualities.
"He has good technique, reading of the game, physicality and mentality. We had some really good conversations and quickly had the feeling from both sides that it would be a good fit.
"Together, we want to help Sepp take his game to another level and make him even better, so that his potential can continue to develop even further."
Mainz sporting director Martin Schmidt also commented on the move, saying: "We have been in close communication with Sepp since the end of the season.
"He was quickly convinced of our project here at Mainz 05 and made us aware of this early on.
"What followed was intense conversations and negotiations with officials at Liverpool – so it's even nicer that Sepp is now here at Mainz 05 to take this next step in his career."
Mainz finished ninth in the Bundesliga table last term and are set to begin their new season with a trip to Elversberg in the DFB-Pokal on August 12.
Barney Corkhill
