Nantes secured a temporary deal for Mainzer, sending him on a loan agreement - Mainz's Hong relocates to Nantes on a temporary basis via a loan arrangement
Hyun-seok Hong, a South Korean national team player, is set to join French Ligue 1 side FC Nantes on loan for the upcoming season. The loan move comes after the 28-year-old midfielder struggled to secure consistent starting opportunities at his previous club, 1. FSV Mainz 05, in the Bundesliga.
During his tenure with Mainz, Hong accumulated 519 minutes of playing time, making 23 appearances in the Bundesliga. However, strong competition within the team and the breakout performance of teammate Paul Nebel, along with the arrival of new summer signings, made it difficult for Hong to get enough minutes on the pitch.
In response to this, Mainz's sporting director Niko Bunkert stated that it's important for Hong to get playing time. The loan agreement, made between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and FC Nantes, is designed to provide Hong with more regular playing time at a high European level. This increased playing time should aid his development and maintain his competitive edge for the South Korean national team, where he is a 14-cap international.
FC Nantes, based in France, welcomed the loan signing of Hong, who will be wearing the symbolic number 7 jersey. The club views him as a key offensive asset and expects him to take a leading attacking midfielder role. The loan agreement includes a fee between €300,000 and €400,000 for Mainz, with Nantes also having an option to buy him for at least €3.5 million at the end of the loan period.
For the Bundesliga, the move signifies that Hong may have limited prospects in Germany, but Nantes and French football gain a promising South Korean midfielder aiming to strengthen their squad and raise the profile of East Asian players in Europe. Enhanced form and exposure in Ligue 1 can positively affect his contributions to the national side, while Mainz reduces squad congestion and recoups some investment through the loan fee and potential future transfer.
In his time at Mainz, Hong managed an assist, and he is expected to bring his skills and experience to FC Nantes as they aim to compete in the French Ligue 1. The announcement was made by Bundesliga club 1. FSV Mainz 05, marking the start of an exciting new chapter for Hyun-seok Hong in his football career.
While financial aid in the form of a loan fee for Mainz 05 is expected to help reduce squad congestion, the primary aim of the move is to offer Hyun-seok Hong, a South Korean national team player, more consistent playing time in European leagues, specifically in the French Ligue 1. This increased playing time can contribute to his development and maintain his competitive edge, as he prepares for future games with the South Korean national team and strives to make an impact on the pitch for FC Nantes.
