Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk has this morning signed a new long term contract at the club.
The 30-year-old has committed his future to Anfield until at least 2025 having signed from Southampton in January 2018.
An instant hit on Merseyside when bagging a debut derby goal in the FA Cup third round, Van Dijk has established himself as a player amongst the world’s elite.
The contract renewal was confirmed on the club’s official website and Twitter account.
Twitter: Watch him defend and we watch him s… ign a new deal
Love it, @VirgilvDijk
https://t.co/aLgGhkkmqS (@LFC)
Van Dijk had this to say on the new deal: “Since day one when I joined the club, I felt so much appreciation from the fans and from my teammates and the staff, that I could be a very important member of this football club.”
The 38-cap Dutchman also spoke of the disappointment of missing the majority of last season through injury and a desire to ‘fight’ for the club moving forwards.
Since joining up with the Reds, the ‘Rolls Royce’ defender has made 130 appearances for the club and picked up medals in the Premier League, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
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Contract renewals don’t come much more important than this.
Somewhat of a late-bloomer, Liverpool can be optimstic that they have confirmed the long-term future of a top-level performer for the duration of the next four years at least.
This summer window has focussed on tying down stars thus far with Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson perhaps next in line for a new and improved deal.
Whilst many will want new arrivals to follow before the end of the window, a show of confidence and valuation of importance in the defender, especially following a gruelling nine months out with injury will come as a huge boost to Van Dijk ahead of the new season.
