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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has officially committed his future to the club, signing a new two-year contract that will keep him at Anfield until 2027.
The Dutch defender’s decision follows in the footsteps of Mohamed Salah, who also secured a similar contract extension last week.
The announcement comes amid growing speculation over the futures of several of Liverpool’s star players, including Van Dijk, Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. With this deal, Van Dijk’s long-term stay at the club is now assured.
The Reds are on the verge of clinching their second Premier League title under manager Arne Slot and their 20th overall in the English top flight.
Van Dijk, who has been a pillar of strength in Liverpool’s defense since his £75 million move from Southampton in January 2018, is set to make history by becoming the first Dutch captain to lead a league-winning team.
The new agreement, which reportedly sees him earn £400,000-per-week, makes him the highest-paid defender in Europe, on par with Salah.
"I’m really happy and proud," Van Dijk expressed in a statement to Liverpoolfc.com following his contract signing.
"There’s a whirlwind of emotions going through me right now as I speak about it. It’s a proud moment, a joyful one. Extending my journey here for another two years is just incredible, and I’m over the moon."
He continued, "It was always Liverpool. That was my intention, my plan, and my conviction this is where I belong for me and my family. I’m regarded as an adopted Scouser, which fills me with pride and gives me a great sense of belonging.”
Van Dijk’s commitment to Liverpool will undoubtedly provide a morale boost for manager Arne Slot, who took over from Jurgen Klopp in 2023.
Slot has been tasked with navigating a period of transition at the club, and Van Dijk’s leadership has been key to steadying the ship.
The 32-year-old’s calm and composed demeanor at the back, along with his tactical intelligence, have made him an invaluable asset in Slot’s first season at the helm.
The deal also puts to rest any doubts about Van Dijk’s future, with rumors linking him to Paris Saint-Germain.
However, Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, was able to finalize the contract extension, ensuring the Netherlands international will remain in England for at least two more years.
Van Dijk’s arrival at Anfield in 2018 marked the beginning of an era of success for Liverpool, with the towering defender playing a central role in the club’s victories in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and two Carabao Cups. To date, he has made 314 appearances for the club, including 100 as captain.
Fans had been growing anxious about the future of key players, with Van Dijk, Salah, and Alexander-Arnold all linked with moves away from Merseyside this summer.
However, Van Dijk’s new deal, alongside Salah’s contract renewal, provides a sense of stability for the club, even as Alexander-Arnold remains without a new contract and continues to be courted by Real Madrid.
If the vice-captain does leave, Conor Bradley, who has impressed during his limited appearances, could step into the right-back role, with Van Dijk continuing to provide leadership from the back.
Liverpool’s title challenge is nearing its conclusion, with just seven matches remaining in the 2024/25 Premier League season.
The Reds need only 11 points to secure the championship, which would end Manchester City’s four-year reign as Premier League champions. If Van Dijk lifts the trophy, it will mark the culmination of a remarkable journey for both him and the club.
With Van Dijk’s future now secured and Salah's similarly confirmed, Liverpool supporters can look forward to a period of continued success, with the iconic duo leading the charge. As Van Dijk put it, “It has always been about Liverpool. That was the plan from the beginning.”
