Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has signed a new two-year contract with the club. The 33-year-old center-back’s previous contract was set to expire at the end of the season.
Van Dijk has now joined forward Mohamed Salah, who signed a two-year extension last week, in committing his future to the club.
“It was always Liverpool,” said Van Dijk, who had been linked with a move to Paris St-Germain. “That was the case. It was always in my head; it was always the plan, and it was always Liverpool.”
The Dutchman, who has made 314 appearances for the Reds, was appointed Liverpool captain in 2023 following Jordan Henderson’s departure.
“There was never any doubt in my mind that this is the place to be for me and my family,” Van Dijk stated. “Someone called me an adopted Scouser the other day, and I’m really proud to hear such things; it gives me a great feeling. It’s a proud feeling, a feeling of joy. It’s just incredible. The journey I’ve had so far in my career, to be able to extend it with another two years at this club, is amazing, and I’m so happy.”
Van Dijk has been with Liverpool since joining for £75 million from Southampton in January 2018. Since then, he has helped the club win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Club World Cup, and EFL Cup twice.
Under Liverpool manager and fellow Dutchman Arne Slot, who is in his first season, Van Dijk has been instrumental in helping the Reds close in on a record-equalling 20th English league title.
In March, Van Dijk stated that he had “no idea” if he would remain at Anfield. However, earlier this month, he mentioned that there had been “progress” in negotiations regarding a new contract. With new deals confirmed for Salah and Van Dijk, the future of defender Trent Alexander-Arnold remains uncertain.
The England defender, who returned to Liverpool training on Wednesday after a month out due to injury, is out of contract in July and has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.
