Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has officially followed in Mohamed Salah’s footsteps by signing a new contract at Anfield.
The Dutchman was due to become a free agent when his previous deal expired in July, but he has now put pen to paper on a contract extension with the Reds, keeping him at the club beyond the 2024-25 campaign.
The exact length of Van Dijk’s new deal has not been officially disclosed by Liverpool, although it’s believed his contract will run until 2027.
Following news of his contract extension, Van Dijk told the Liverpool website: “Iām very happy, very proud. There are so many emotions obviously that go through my head right now speaking about it.
āItās a proud feeling, itās a feeling of joy. Itās just incredible. The journey Iāve had so far in my career, to be able to extend it with another two years at this club is amazing and Iām so happy.”
He added: “It was always Liverpool. That was the case. It was always in my head, it was always the plan and it was always Liverpool.
āThere wasnāt any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my family. Iām one of Liverpool. Someone called me the other day an adopted Scouser ā Iām really proud to hear these things, it gives me a great feeling.”
Van Dijk has now followed Salah in agreeing a contract extension on Merseyside, although Trent Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, is set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer.
Van Dijk at Liverpool
Van Dijk joined Liverpool in an eyebrow-raising ā¬84.7 million deal in January 2018 after a lengthy saga. The previous summer, the Reds had failed to land the Dutchman and publicly 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.
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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.
