Sepp van den Berg has said manager Thomas Frank persuaded him to join Brentford from Liverpool for a reported £20 million plus up to £5m in add-ons.
The 22-year-old, who joined the Reds in 2019 and made four appearances, is targeting European qualification with the Bees, who are thought to have beaten clubs including reigning German champions Bayer Leverkusen to the deal.
“It feels amazing,” said Van den Berg, who spent last season on loan at Mainz, speaking to Brentford’s website. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time now.
“I had a few phone calls and a meeting with the manager, when he told me why they wanted me here.
“They showed me what qualities they see in me as a player, so it was all positive. [It was] just the appreciation I felt from the manager, from other people I spoke to here, even me coming here today: everybody is just so nice. I really, really like it here.”
Welkom to West London, Sepp 🇳🇱🐝 pic.twitter.com/EPL1c1KMef
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) August 22, 2024
Brentford transfers: Sepp signs
Van den Berg joins former Liverpool teammate Fabio Carvalho at Brentford after the midfielder made the same move for £27.5m last week.
The former Netherlands Under-21 international could make his debut on Sunday against Liverpool at Anfield (4.30pm BST).
“Fabio and I have also been texting and, when he moved here, I told him that I was also in talks with Brentford, so that was funny,” said Van den Berg.
“I texted him this morning – I’m sitting next to him in the changing room as well, so I’m looking forward to seeing him again.
💬 “I want to just enjoy being here, that’s the thing for me. I also want to bring passion, defending, and just giving everything I have, leaving it all on the pitch”
Sepp van den Berg speaks for the first time as a Bee ⤵ pic.twitter.com/2vxhOk0XuA
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) August 22, 2024
Van den Berg ‘quick’
“I just want to help the team wherever I can,” said Van den Berg. “Personally, playing as many games as I can is what I came here for.
“I also want to develop myself and help the team achieve things that have never happened before. Maybe Europe – you have to dream big.”
Frank, who oversaw a 2-1 win at home to Crystal Palace to start the season last Sunday, said Van den Berg “fits our culture and the way we want to play”.
“He is quick, he reads the game well and is composed on the ball in the build-up and in the decisive defending actions,” the Dane added.
“Sepp is a great character and I am convinced that he will fit in well with the group and help us to push forward.”
