The Dutch defender joins from Liverpool, turning down Bayer Leverkusen in favour of a long-term move to the Bees.

Brentford have officially announced the acquisition of Sepp van den Berg from Liverpool for a transfer fee that could rise to £25million. The deal is structured with an initial £20million upfront payment, alongside a potential £5million in performance-related add-ons. Van den Berg, who has committed to a five-year contract with the Bees, becomes their fifth signing of the summer window.

The highly-rated Dutch centre-back rejected interest from Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen to make the move to the Premier League. After completing a medical on Wednesday, Van den Berg joins a growing list of recent arrivals at Brentford, which includes fellow former Liverpool player Fabio Carvalho, Igor Thiago, Benjamin Fredrick, and Julian Eyestone.

Van den Berg initially signed for Liverpool in 2019 for £4.4million, although his opportunities with the Reds were limited, making just four senior appearances over five seasons.

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank expressed his delight at securing the signing, stating: “I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to bring Sepp in. This is a fantastic addition to the team. Sepp is a solid centre-back with high potential, and I’m confident he can continue to improve with us.”

Frank went on to highlight the 21-year-old’s attributes, praising his speed, game intelligence, and composure on the ball, both in defensive situations and during build-up play. “He embodies the style and values we want in our team. Sepp is also a great character, and I believe he will integrate well with the squad and help us progress as a club,” Frank added.