Overview
- He joined from FC Middlesbrough on a five-year contract after Köln agreed an initial €8 million fee plus up to €2 million in performance bonuses.
- The fee represents the club’s highest summer outlay and its largest defender investment since 2019.
- Sporting director Thomas Kessler said Köln pursued him “long and intensively” and praised his physical presence, athleticism and ball-playing skills.
- The 21-year-old Dutch U21 international made 57 Championship starts over two seasons and was secured ahead of interest from Chelsea, Feyenoord and Beşiktaş.
- Van den Berg is expected to feature in the Bundesliga opener at Mainz on 24 August after integrating into the first team.