Van Dijk signs new long-term Liverpool contract after overcoming injury hell and says he’s ready for Norwich clash
VIRGIL VAN DIJK has signed a new contract at Liverpool until 2025.
The £75million centre-back arrived from Southampton in January 2018.
And after recovering from his horror ACL knee injury, the Dutchman put pen to paper on a fresh four-year deal.
The 30-year-old said: “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.
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“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 will hope to celebrate the news by facing Norwich in the Reds’ Premier League opener away at promoted Norwich on Saturday evening.
After skipping the Euros, he has had a full pre-season to get his knee and fitness levels back up to speed – featuring in three friendlies.
The ex-Celtic man added: “I feel good. Obviously [they were] 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.
“It is something we fight for, for the points, and hopefully we can get a positive result out of it.”
Should he feature against Norwich, it will be his first competitive action since October 2020 when Jordan Pickford’s wild lunge wrecked his knee.
Van Dijk enjoyed a stunning full first season with Liverpool, winning the Champions League in 2018-19 and was named Liverpool, PFA, Premier League and Uefa player of the year.
In 2019-20, he played a pivotal role as Jurgen Klopp led the Anfield side to their maiden Premier League title.
The Netherlands skipper – who also owns winner’s medals from the Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup – has 13 goals from 130 Reds appearances.
More to follow…