Virgil van Dijk has extended his contract with Liverpool. The defender was under contract at Anfield for two more seasons, but has signed a new contract until mid-2025. The signatures were placed on Friday morning. Van Dijk is on his way back from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in the right knee and is enthusiastic about his new contract.
“Great”, Van Dijk answers the question of how it feels to sign a new contract. “It’s something to be very proud of and I am. My wife and children are too. We will continue with all the hard work we’ve put in and I’m looking forward to what the future holds at Liverpool. overjoyed and very proud.” Van Dijk joined from Southampton in January 2018 and has played 130 official Liverpool games since then. His last was on October 17, when the defender suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury against Everton.
In preparation for the new season, Van Dijk rejoined the rest of the selection. He played in friendlies against Hertha BSC (4-3 defeat), Bologna (2-0 win) and Athletic Club (1-1). The thirty-year-old stopper makes his return to the Premier League against Norwich City on Saturday. Trainer Jürgen Klopp said on Thursday that it ‘looks good’ and hinted at a starting place for Van Dijk. “I think he’s playing, but I’m not sure yet.”
Van Dijk won the 2019 PFA Players’ Player of the Year, UEFA Men’s Player of the Year and UEFA Defender of the Year awards. He also finished second in the Ballon d’Or and The Best FIFA Men’s Player elections. The the Dutch international says he felt appreciated from the first moment by the Liverpool supporters, his teammates and the technical staff. “I got the confidence that I could become an important member of this football club. It has been going well so far, but on a personal level last season was unfortunately one to forget quickly, but also a season to learn from and experience of taking.”
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