Liverpool have completed the signing of teenage Dutch centre-back Sepp van den Berg from PEC Zwolle in a £1.3m deal that could rise to £4.4m with add-ons.
Van den Berg joins on a long-term contract with the deal due to be completed on July 1 once Fifa’s international clearance window opens.
The defender was hotly pursued by a number of European clubs, including Ajax, PSV and Sampdoria, however, Liverpool have won the race to his signature.
“It’s just an amazing feeling,” Van den Berg told Liverpool’s official website.
“It is, for me, the biggest club in the world and it’s a dream come true. I am really excited.
1/24 Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings
How did we rate Liverpool’s players and Jurgen Klopp during the 2018-19 campaign?
AFP/Getty Images
2/24 Alisson Becker – 8/10
A few nervous moments here and his cavalier approach tempts fate slightly too often, but the £65m signing from Roma has been a marked upgrade on his predecessors.
Getty
3/24 Simon Mignolet – 6/10
Played just twice, in two domestic cup defeats, but Mignolet has been an exemplary dressing room influence despite a year spent in Alisson’s shadow.
Getty
4/24 Trent Alexander-Arnold – 9/10
His 13 assists from right-back set a new record for a defender in Premier League history. Still just 20-years-old, yet already one of the world’s best in his position.
Getty
5/24 Virgil van Dijk – 9.5/10
The PFA Player of the Year was a deserving winner, having barely had an off day since August. His transformative effect on Liverpool’s defence cannot be underestimated.
Getty
6/24 Joe Gomez – 7/10
Excellent in the first half of the campaign as Van Dijk’s partner in central defence, unfortunate to then break his leg and miss much of the remainder.
Reuters
7/24 Dejan Lovren – 6/10
Never disgraced himself but injury and the form of others have demoted Lovren from Liverpool’s second-choice centre-back to their fourth.
Getty
8/24 Joel Matip – 8/10
Stepped in to partner Van Dijk in the second half of the campaign and defied his critics. His performance in the win over Barcelona was particularly good.
Getty
9/24 Andrew Robertson – 9/10
The best full-back in the Premier League over the last 18 months. His work rate, delivery and sheer tenacity are exceptional.
Getty
10/24 Alberto Moreno – 4/10
Little more than cover for Robertson, he stepped in on occasion without causing chaos. Will leave Anfield when his contract expires this summer.
Getty
11/24 Fabinho – 8/10
Took time to adapt to Klopp’s style and the rigours of English football but now appears right at home. His snarling display against Barcelona was a highlight.
Getty
12/24 Naby Keita – 6/10
A qualified disappointment. Not yet lived up to great expectations, but there have been enough moments of promise to suggest he will have a better second season.
Getty
13/24 Jordan Henderson – 8/10
The much-maligned captain has shown why he has the trust of many at Anfield. More effective when he was moved out of holding midfield and further forward during the run-in.
AFP/Getty
14/24 James Milner – 7/10
33-years-old, yet shows few signs of fading out. A player for the big moments, he was excellent in the victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
Getty Images
15/24 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – N/A
Limited to only two appearances due to the serious knee injury which was supposed to prevent him from playing a single minute this season. Will hope to stay fit next year.
Getty
16/24 Georginio Wijnaldum – 8/10
Quietly excellent, keeping Liverpool’s midfield ticking over and winning possession back when required. Chipped in with big goals against Cardiff and Barcelona.
Reuters
17/24 Adam Lallana – 4/10
Most certainly on the fringes now after two seasons without consistent playing time. Impressed in some cameos, not in others.
Getty
18/24 Xherdan Shaqiri – 6/10
Appeared to be an ideal impact substitute in the first half of the campaign, but his form tailed off and then so did the first-team opportunities. Origi now seems to be preferred.
Getty
19/24 Sadio Mané – 9/10
The finest season of career to date. Stepped into Salah’s shoes when the Egyptian’s scoring dipped, ensuring Liverpool’s front-line lost very little potency.
Getty
20/24 Mohamed Salah – 8/10
It was always going to be difficult to match last year, but Salah came close. 26 goals and 13 assists in all competitions is a brilliant return.
AFP/Getty
21/24 Roberto Firmino – 8/10
Another who did not always reach the heights of last year but still the finest practitioner of the ‘false nine’ role in the Premier League.
Reuters
22/24 Divock Origi – 8/10
Only played 21 times, only scored seven times but made an impact that will save his Anfield career. Goals against Everton, Barcelona and Newcastle were all huge.
Getty
23/24 Daniel Sturridge – 6/10
On his way out this summer, and performances later in the season showed why, but enjoyed a excellent September and scored that brilliant, late equaliser at Chelsea.
Getty
24/24 Jurgen Klopp – 9/10
Made the most of the resources at his disposal, recorded a huge points total, yet fell just short of the title.
Getty
1/24 Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings
How did we rate Liverpool’s players and Jurgen Klopp during the 2018-19 campaign?
AFP/Getty Images
2/24 Alisson Becker – 8/10
A few nervous moments here and his cavalier approach tempts fate slightly too often, but the £65m signing from Roma has been a marked upgrade on his predecessors.
Getty
3/24 Simon Mignolet – 6/10
Played just twice, in two domestic cup defeats, but Mignolet has been an exemplary dressing room influence despite a year spent in Alisson’s shadow.
Getty
4/24 Trent Alexander-Arnold – 9/10
His 13 assists from right-back set a new record for a defender in Premier League history. Still just 20-years-old, yet already one of the world’s best in his position.
Getty
5/24 Virgil van Dijk – 9.5/10
The PFA Player of the Year was a deserving winner, having barely had an off day since August. His transformative effect on Liverpool’s defence cannot be underestimated.
Getty
6/24 Joe Gomez – 7/10
Excellent in the first half of the campaign as Van Dijk’s partner in central defence, unfortunate to then break his leg and miss much of the remainder.
Reuters
7/24 Dejan Lovren – 6/10
Never disgraced himself but injury and the form of others have demoted Lovren from Liverpool’s second-choice centre-back to their fourth.
Getty
8/24 Joel Matip – 8/10
Stepped in to partner Van Dijk in the second half of the campaign and defied his critics. His performance in the win over Barcelona was particularly good.
Getty
9/24 Andrew Robertson – 9/10
The best full-back in the Premier League over the last 18 months. His work rate, delivery and sheer tenacity are exceptional.
Getty
10/24 Alberto Moreno – 4/10
Little more than cover for Robertson, he stepped in on occasion without causing chaos. Will leave Anfield when his contract expires this summer.
Getty
11/24 Fabinho – 8/10
Took time to adapt to Klopp’s style and the rigours of English football but now appears right at home. His snarling display against Barcelona was a highlight.
Getty
12/24 Naby Keita – 6/10
A qualified disappointment. Not yet lived up to great expectations, but there have been enough moments of promise to suggest he will have a better second season.
Getty
13/24 Jordan Henderson – 8/10
The much-maligned captain has shown why he has the trust of many at Anfield. More effective when he was moved out of holding midfield and further forward during the run-in.
AFP/Getty
14/24 James Milner – 7/10
33-years-old, yet shows few signs of fading out. A player for the big moments, he was excellent in the victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
Getty Images
15/24 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – N/A
Limited to only two appearances due to the serious knee injury which was supposed to prevent him from playing a single minute this season. Will hope to stay fit next year.
Getty
16/24 Georginio Wijnaldum – 8/10
Quietly excellent, keeping Liverpool’s midfield ticking over and winning possession back when required. Chipped in with big goals against Cardiff and Barcelona.
Reuters
17/24 Adam Lallana – 4/10
Most certainly on the fringes now after two seasons without consistent playing time. Impressed in some cameos, not in others.
Getty
18/24 Xherdan Shaqiri – 6/10
Appeared to be an ideal impact substitute in the first half of the campaign, but his form tailed off and then so did the first-team opportunities. Origi now seems to be preferred.
Getty
19/24 Sadio Mané – 9/10
The finest season of career to date. Stepped into Salah’s shoes when the Egyptian’s scoring dipped, ensuring Liverpool’s front-line lost very little potency.
Getty
20/24 Mohamed Salah – 8/10
It was always going to be difficult to match last year, but Salah came close. 26 goals and 13 assists in all competitions is a brilliant return.
AFP/Getty
21/24 Roberto Firmino – 8/10
Another who did not always reach the heights of last year but still the finest practitioner of the ‘false nine’ role in the Premier League.
Reuters
22/24 Divock Origi – 8/10
Only played 21 times, only scored seven times but made an impact that will save his Anfield career. Goals against Everton, Barcelona and Newcastle were all huge.
Getty
23/24 Daniel Sturridge – 6/10
On his way out this summer, and performances later in the season showed why, but enjoyed a excellent September and scored that brilliant, late equaliser at Chelsea.
Getty
24/24 Jurgen Klopp – 9/10
Made the most of the resources at his disposal, recorded a huge points total, yet fell just short of the title.
Getty
“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 [Jurgen 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.”
