Brentford have completed the signing of defender Sepp van den Berg from Liverpool in the summer transfer window.
The centre-back was initially acquired by Liverpool for £4.4 million in 2019 from Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle and made four senior appearances for the Reds.
The Bees have agreed to pay an upfront fee of £20 million for Van den Berg, who has signed a five-year contract with the club.
The deal also includes up to £5 million in performance-based add-ons and a 17.5% sell-on clause.
Brentford fended off competition from German champions Bayer Leverkusen, who decided not to pursue the signing.
Van den Berg has been a long-time target for Brentford, and the positive relationship between the two clubs facilitated the transfer.
“I’m very pleased that we have managed to sign Sepp,” said head coach Thomas Frank.
“I think this is a great signing for the club and the team.
“Sepp is a centre-back with a good level and he has the potential to develop even further.
“He 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.
“Sepp is a great character, and I am convinced that he will fit in well with the group and help us to push forward.”
In addition to Van den Berg, Brentford have already secured another Liverpool player this summer.
Welkom to West London, Sepp 🇳🇱🐝 pic.twitter.com/EPL1c1KMef
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) August 22, 2024
Van den Berg said: “It feels amazing! I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time now.
“I had a few phone calls and a meeting with the manager, where 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.
He added: “Just the appreciation I felt from the manager [Thomas Frank], from other people I spoke to here, even me coming here today: everybody is just so nice.
“I really, really like it here.
“Me and Fábio have also been texting and, when he moved here, I told him that I was also in talks with Brentford, so that was funny! 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.”
On his style of play, he said: “Growing up in Holland, Johan Cruyff, playing out from the back, 4-3-3, Ajax: everything is just about playing football.
“So that’s what I did when I was a kid, and I think every player will say playing with the ball is more enjoyable than without the ball – I’m the same, even though I’m a defender!
“Playing football is the most enjoyable thing for every player, especially for me.”
Carvalho also attracted interest from newly promoted Leicester City and Southampton.
Carvalho’s contract includes a five-year term with an option for an additional 12 months, further extending his stay in west London.
Carvalho disclosed why he made the decision to leave Liverpool on a permanent basis to join Brentford this summer.
“I’m not going to just sit on the bench because what’s the point?” he told Sky Sports.
“I want to play football and show the world what I’m capable of, and why I train so hard every day.
“I’m not going to be able to do that by sitting on the bench.”
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