OFFICIAL: Virgil van Dijk signs Liverpool contract extension

Tom Weber

Updated: 19 Dec 2024 14:54 GMT
3 min read

Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has extended his expiring contract at Anfield.

The Dutch centre-back has officially put pen to paper on a new ____-year deal to remain at the club for the foreseeable future. Van Dijk was one of three key Liverpool stars, along with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who would have been out of contract in the summer.

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However, Van Dijk was the first to confirm that talks over fresh terms were taking place and he is the first of the three to commit his future to Liverpool, continuing his eminently successful spell at the club.

Van Dijk, who will be 34 in July, has been the captain of the Reds since the 2023/24 season and has been one of the most reliable centre-backs in recent Premier League history.

After a slump in 2022/23, Van Dijk has been back to his best over the past two seasons and he will yet marshall Arne Slot's backline for some time longer.

© IMAGO - Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk

Van Dijk at Liverpool

Van Dijk joined Liverpool in an eyebrow-raising €84.7 million deal in January 2018 after a lengthy saga. The previous summer, the Reds had failed to land the Dutchman and publically apologised to Southampton after the Saints had reportedly threatened legal action over the 'tapping-up' of the player.

When he finally arrived at Anfield, Van Dijk made an instant impact and proved a transformative signing, along with goalkeeper Alisson the following summer.

The centre-back and the Brazilian goalkeeper became the heart of a stout defence that would help Liverpool claim the 2019 Champions League and the 2020 Premier League titles.

At Liverpool's zenith under Jurgen Klopp, Van Dijk was widely recognised as the best active defender in the Premier League. In 2018/19, Van Dijk scooped a host of Player of the Year accolades, including the PFA Players' Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Year and UEFA Men's Player of the Year awards.

In addition to Premier League and Champions League honours, the 33-year-old has also won two Carabao Cups, an FA Cup, a Community Shield, a Club World Cup and a UEFA Super Cup with Liverpool.