Liverpool beat Bayern & Ajax to signing of record-setting Eredivisie teen Sepp van den Berg
Liverpool have confirmed the signing Dutch starlet Sepp van den Berg from PEC Zwolle, subject to international clearance.
The 17-year-old made 15 appearances in the Eredivisie last season and has joined Liverpool on a long-term contract.
Who is Sepp van den Berg? Five key things to know…
- Age: 17
- Position: Centre-back
- Senior club apps: 22
- International caps: 4 (Under-19s)
- Key stat: At 16 years and 256 days old, Van den Berg became the youngest player ever to feature in 10 Eredivisie matches.
Van den Berg has emerged as one of the most promising young players in the Netherlands having already made 22 senior appearances despite being just 17.
The teenager, who becomes Liverpool’s first signing of the summer, has scored twice in four appearances for Holland’s Under-19s.
Liverpool reportedly fought off competition from Bayern Munich and Ajax to sign the centre-back for £1.5m.
The club say Van den Berg has signed a long-term contract although the exact length of the deal isn’t mentioned.
Speaking to Liverpool’s official website, Van den Berg admitted he was surprised when he first heard about the Reds’ interest.
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“I couldn’t believe it, I thought it was a joke,” he said. “I was really happy and, to be honest, I was a little bit scared at first because such a big club had interest in me. So, I was a little bit scared but eventually I was really excited.”
Van den Berg added: “It’s just an amazing feeling.
“It is, for me, the biggest club in the world and it’s a dream come true. I am really excited.
“I’ve seen what kind of players from the Academy grew into the first team here. It is unbelievable, especially when this kind of big club does that.
“Of course, the trainer [Jürgen Klopp] is a great guy and one of the reasons they are successful – and also one of the reasons I came here.
“I think this is the best place for me to grow and hopefully play a lot of games here.”
Liverpool will be aiming to retain the Champions League next season as well as going one step further in the Premier League, in which they finished runners-up last term.
