Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has signed a new two-year contract extension, committing his future to the club until the summer of 2027, the Premier League leaders announced on Thursday, April 17th. The deal follows forward Mohamed Salah, who signed a similar extension last week, ending speculation about the Dutchman’s future.
Van Dijk’s previous contract was set to expire at the end of the current season, and while he had indicated “progress” in talks earlier this month, some uncertainty remained, with links (though ultimately unfounded) to clubs like Paris Saint-Germain.
“It was always Liverpool,” Van Dijk, 33, told the club website. “That was the case. It was always in my head, it was always the plan and it was always Liverpool. There wasn’t any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my family.”
The Netherlands centre-back, who joined from Southampton for £75m in January 2018, expressed his delight: “It’s a proud feeling, it’s 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.” He added he felt like “one of Liverpool” and was proud to be called an “adopted Scouser.”
Appointed captain in 2023 after Jordan Henderson’s departure, Van Dijk has been a cornerstone of Liverpool’s success, making 314 appearances and winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Club World Cup, and two EFL Cups. He has been pivotal under manager Arne Slot this season as Liverpool close in on a potential 20th league title.
With deals for Salah and Van Dijk secured, attention now turns to the future of vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold. The England right-back, who returned to training this week after injury, is also out of contract this summer and continues to be strongly linked with a free transfer move to Real Madrid.7
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