17/04/2025
On Thursday at 12:00, Liverpool Football Club confirmed what we have all been waiting for: Virgil van Dijk has signed a new contract with the club!
– It has always been Liverpool. It has always been like this. It was always in my head, it was always the plan – and it was always Liverpool. There was never any doubt in my mind that this is the place for me and my family. I am now part of Liverpool. Someone called me an adopted Scouser the other day – I am really proud to hear that, it gives me a fantastic feeling, he tells the club's website.
– I am very happy, very proud. There are so many emotions that are naturally going through my head right now when I talk about it. It is a feeling of pride and joy. It is absolutely incredible. The journey I have had so far in my career, and to be able to extend it for another two years at this club, is fantastic. I am so happy.
The club itself does not confirm the length of the contract, but according to several credible journalists, it is said to be a two-year contract, with a weekly salary of around £400,000.
The contract saga of Virgil van Dijk – like Mohamed Salah – has been on everyone's lips since the summer of last year. It has taken time for the player and the club to agree on the terms of a new deal.
Throughout the autumn and winter, the 33-year-old was clear that no contract was on the table, but it was also clear that all parties expected it to be sorted out before the season was over.
The situation was perhaps at its most uncertain when there were rumors that Real Madrid had tried to get in touch with him in the January window, while van Dijk himself had little to say:
– I don't think anything will happen immediately, but I'm taking it easy. As I said several months ago, we'll see what happens in the future. "Here and now I have no update," he said on January 6.
Since then, the saga has developed in a more positive direction week by week. At the end of January, the Liverpool Echo reported that both he and Salah were only considering internal contract offers.
After the 2-3 defeat to Fulham in early April, what was described as the "final confirmation" that something was afoot came - five days before teammate Salah's contract was announced.
- There is progress, yes. I don't know, we'll see. There are internal talks and we'll see. I love the club, love the supporters. They were here for us again, and we wanted to give them a good result against Fulham. But I hope they show up again against West Ham on Sunday and make sure we get the support we usually get at home, van Dijk said according to the Mirror.
Now it has been confirmed: Liverpool will keep their captain until at least 2027. He will then be 35 years old, but if the level remains the same, there could of course be even more years for the Anfield legend.