Virgil van Dijk has signed a new deal with Liverpool that will see him remain at the club until the summer of 2025.
The 30-year-old Dutch defender, whose previous contract was still to run until 2023, has agreed the extension, joining Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho and Alisson in committing their long-term futures to the Premier League club this summer.
Van Dijk is currently working his way back to full fitness after picking up a serious knee injury last October that would see him miss the rest of the Premier League season and Euro 2020 in the summer.
Asked how it felt about signing his new deal, Van Dijk told Liverpoolfc.com: “Amazing. It is something to be very proud of, that I am very proud of, that my wife and my kids are very proud of and obviously my agency.
“All the hard work we’ve put in so far continues and I am looking forward to what the future brings together with Liverpool. I’m delighted, very happy and proud.
“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.
“It has been going well; unfortunately last season for me personally has been a season to forget, to learn from and take with me, but I have enjoyed my time here and will keep enjoying it in the next couple of years altogether with all of you.”
Van Dijk could feature in Liverpool's season opener at Norwich on Saturday. “I feel good,” he added. “Friendlies, you get your match fitness up, get into repetitions of doing things again and again.
“I feel like I am ready for the weekend, so we'll see what the manager decides. It is going to be a totally different atmosphere and mindset for me personally as well.”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp made clear his views on Van Dijk's contract. "It's great news," he said. "The good thing is that we know him already. We've used him already quite successfully and we are really happy that he's happy here.
"He is back on track and preparing for a very successful at this club. Imagine if we had to buy this boy now. Thank god we only had to give him a new contract."
Five players Liverpool should sign this summer
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Nicolo Barella - Carried his impressive club form with Italian champions Inter Milan through to the European Championship with Italy. A midfielder very much in the Jurgen Klopp mould who loves to bomb forward. La Repubblica reported last week that Liverpool are preparing to offer £60 million for the 24 year old. -
Patrik Schick - Scorer of the goal of Euro 2020 with an audacious chip from the halfway line to beat Scotland goalkeeper David Marshall. Finished the touanment with four goals as Czech Republic reached the quarter-finals. The 25-year-old forward seems to be over the injuries that have blighted his career but Bayer Leverkusen are reluctant to sell their prized asset. -
Youri Tielemans - One of the most underrated central midfielders in the Premier League. Tielemans' screamer in the FA Cup final was worthy of winning any match. Leicester's Belgian international, 24, rarely wastes possesion and a superb passer. Would fill the void left by Georginio Wijnaldum's departure perfectly. -
Robin Gosens - Arguably the best individual performance at Euro 2020 belonged to the German wing-back. Involved in all four of Germany's goals in the win over Portugal in the group phase, including a bullet header. The left-sided Atalanta player, 27, can also operate as part of a back four and would provide meaningful competition for Andy Robertson. -
Saul Niguez - It speaks volumes about the calibre of Spanish midfielders that Niguez was left out of Luis Enrique's Euro 2020 squad. Battle-hardened after manning a midfield coached by Diego Simeone, Niguez, 26, was a vital cog in the Atletico Madrid team that beat Real Madrid and Barcelona to last season's La Liga title. Reports in the UK say Liverpool may include Xherdan Shaqiri or Divock Origi in a deal to sign the Atletico player.
