Virgil van Dijk signs new deal at Liverpool

Dutch defender to remain at Premier League club until 2025

Virgil van Dijk has agreed a new long-term contract at Liverpool. Getty
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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."

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Updated: August 13, 2021, 11:05 AM