Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has officially ended speculation about his future by signing a new two-year contract with the Premier League giants, reaffirming his commitment to the club he calls home.
The Dutch centre-back, who would have been out of contract at the end of the season, follows teammate Mohamed Salah in extending his stay at Anfield, delighting fans as the Reds edge closer to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.
“I’m very happy, very proud,” Van Dijk said after putting pen to paper. “There are so many emotions running through my mind right now. It’s a feeling of pride and joy. To continue this journey for another two years is incredible.”
The 33-year-old, who joined Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018, has played a pivotal role in the club’s modern-era success, helping them lift the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup (twice), UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup under former boss Jürgen Klopp.
Van Dijk, who has made 314 appearances for Liverpool, had previously been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain. But he insists staying was never in doubt.
“It was always Liverpool. That was always the plan,” he said. “There wasn’t any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my family. Someone recently called me an adopted Scouser—and that made me incredibly proud.”
As Van Dijk and Salah secure their futures at Anfield, attention now turns to England international Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose contract expires at the end of the season. The right-back, who returned to training this week after a month-long injury layoff, has been strongly linked with Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, Liverpool, under new manager Arne Slot, are 13 points clear at the top of the table with just six games left. If Arsenal slip up this weekend, the Reds could clinch the title, completing a dominant campaign in Slot’s debut season.
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