Had the best time in Belgium
©IMAGO
Mainz 05 has canceled Hyun-seok Hong’s loan to FC Nantes and loaned the 26-year-old midfielder to KAA Gent until the end of the season. The South Korean was already active for the Belgians between 2022 and 2024, before he moved to Rheinhessen for 4 million euros. His contract in Mainz is valid until 2028.
Hong played six games in Nantes, the last at the beginning of October. He had the best phase of his career in Gent, where he was involved in 38 goals in 104 games and became a national player. He wore the South Korea jersey for the last time in October 2024. Since his move to Mainz, where he played 23 games in his first season, his market value has fallen from 9 million to 3 million euros.
“I am very happy to be back in Ghent. I experienced many beautiful moments at this club and hope to be able to experience them again here,” Hong is quoted as saying on the club’s website. General director Kjeld Fort added: “Hongi is our first winter transfer. With him we are getting a player who knows the club and has experience in the Belgian league. Hong is and remains a very intelligent football player with excellent insight and great willingness.”
Mainz lends defensive talent Schopp to Hartberg
Defensive talent Konstantin Schopp is also expected to gain match practice at another club and has been loaned out to TSV Hartberg in Austria. The 20-year-old defender, who came from Sturm Graz on a free transfer in the summer, was only used in the Mainz reserves in the regional league this season. “We’ve had the idea of allowing Konstantin to gain match practice at a very good level again from winter onwards for a long time. We’re happy about the opportunity for him to take the next step at TSV Hartberg before he returns to Bruchweg in the summer,” said sports director Niko Bungert. Schopp’s contract in Mainz runs until 2029.