Mainz 05 Confirms Loan Deals for Hong Hyun-seok and Konstanin Schopp

Bundesliga club FSV Mainz 05 has officially announced the loan transfers of South Korean midfielder Hong Hyun-seok and Austrian defender Konstanin Schopp to separate teams. Following their recent victory over Heidenheim, Mainz has successfully moved up from the bottom of the Bundesliga table, marking the team’s first outgoing transactions in the January transfer window.

The club has been proactive in fulfilling its transfer needs this January, acquiring attacking players Silas and Phillip Tietz from Stuttgart and Augsburg, respectively. Mainz is also actively seeking reinforcements for their central defense, with veteran Bundesliga players Marvin Friedrich and Stefan Posch being linked to potential moves.

The loan of Hong aims to rejuvenate the 26-year-old’s career at his former club. His initial loan to FC Nantes did not yield significant playing time, prompting this new opportunity. Hong remains under contract with Mainz until 2028. “I am very happy to be back in Ghent,” Hong stated in a release on KAA Gent’s website. “I have had many wonderful moments at this club and hope to experience them again here.”

Schopp, a 20-year-old Austrian U21 international, was signed by Mainz this summer with the intention of developing him for the long term. Although he has made 11 appearances for the Mainz reserves, he has yet to debut for the first team under coaches Bo Henriksen or Urs Fischer. Schopp’s contract with Mainz runs until 2029, and he will return to TSV Hartberg in Austria, where the team is currently in fourth place in the Bundesliga.

FSV sporting director Nico Bungert commented on Schopp’s loan, stating, “We’ve been considering the possibility of allowing Konstantin to gain more playing experience at a high level for quite some time. We are delighted he now has the opportunity to take the next step at TSV Hartberg before returning to Bruchweg in the summer.”