Liverpool have confirmed on their official website that Sepp van den Berg will complete his move to Anfield from PEC Zwolle in July. The Dutch teenager has become Jurgen Klopp’s first signing of this summer transfer window.
Van den Berg expressed his delight after signing for the Reds and said (via www.liverpoolfc.com), “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.”
Sepp Van Den Berg’s Remarkable Rise In Dutch Football
The 17-year-old worked his way up PEC Zwolle’s youth system before he finally broke out into their senior team last season. He played a crucial role in Zwolle’s Under-17 side before flourishing at the Under-19 level. He finally got his chance to thrive at the highest level last term when he made 15 appearances in the Dutch Eredivisie. His eye-catching performances for Zwolle didn’t go unnoticed by the Liverpool chiefs as they have decided to bring him to Merseyside this summer.
While defending, Van den Berg managed to make an average of 1.3 tackles, 0.8 interceptions and 2.7 clearances per match in the top tier of the Netherlands (stats via whoscored). However, he is still very young, which means that he would be too inexperienced to compete for a place in Klopp’s first XI.
The Dutch youngster would probably have to work his way up the Merseyside club’s youth ranks before he gets a chance to shine alongside Virgil Van Dijk at the senior level.
What Will The Dutch Wonderkid Bring To Anfield?
Van den Berg has shown incredible potential and could become one of the best defenders in the Premier League if he can continue developing as a player. He has decent pace under his belt, which allows him to cover a lot of ground and make some vital interceptions for his side. He is a solid tackler who does not back away from a challenge. However, the Dutch prospect can sometimes make reckless tackles on the field due to his inexperience.
The Zwolle teenager is dominant in the air and can command his own penalty area with aggression and commitment. Now that he is finally set to complete his dream move to Anfield, maybe his countrymen, Van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum can help him settle at the club by mentoring the youngster and leading him by example.
Van Den Berg’s Arrival: Wise Addition For The Reds?
The Dutch sensation still has a long way to go if he intends to make a positive impact in Premier League football. However, there is no doubt that he is an excellent acquisition for the Reds as he was available for such a cheap fee.
