Official | Mainz secure loans for Hong Hyun-seok (26) and Konstantin Schopp (22) | OneFootball

Bundesliga outfit Mainz 05 confirmed two loans yesterday, shipping South Korean midfielder Hong Hyun-seok and Austrian defender Konstantin Schopp out to different locales. The German Rheinhessen – who moved out of last place in the Bundesliga table with a victory over Heidenheim yesterday – have confirmed their first outgoing transactions of the current January transfer window. 

The Pfälzer have been quite proactive in addressing their January transfer needs, signing attacking additions Silas and Phillip Tietz from fellow Bundesliga clubs Stuttgart and Augsburg respectively. Mainz continue to search for help in the central defensive corps are being linked with Bundesliga veterans Marvin Friedrich and Stefan Posch.

Hong Hyun-seok pleased to be back at Gent

The South Korean international’s switch of loan locales aims to get the 26-year-old back on his feet at his old club. Hong has proven a total flop at Mainz his early season loan out to FC Nantes didn’t produce much playing time. Hong remains under contract with Mainz until 2028.

“I am very happy to be back in Ghent,” Hong noted in a statement published on KAA Gent’s website. “I have had many wonderful moments at this club and hope to experience them again here.“

Mainz hope Schopp can gain playing practice back in Austria

When Mainz signed Schopp this summer, the 20-year-old was always meant to serve as a long-term developmental prospect. Thus far, the Austrian U21 international has made 11 appearances for the Mainz reserves, but not yet featured for the first team under either Bo Henriksen or Urs Fischer.

Schopp’s FSV deal runs until 2029. For the time being, the former Sturm Graz talent will be headed back to TSV Hartberg in his native country. Hartberg currently occupy fourth place in the Austrian Bundesliga table.

“We’ve been mulling over the idea of letting Konstantin gain more playing experience at a very good level starting in the winter for quite some time,” FSV sporting director Nico Bungert noted in a club statement. “We are delighted that he now has the opportunity to take the next step at TSV Hartberg before returning to Bruchweg in the summer.“

GGFN | Peter Weis