Liverpool's captain, Virgil van Dijk, has signed a new two-year contract extension, keeping him at Anfield until 2027. This follows Mohamed Salah's recent contract renewal. The deal is reportedly worth up to £400,000 a week, significantly increasing his previous salary of £220,000.
Van Dijk expressed his happiness and pride, emphasizing his love for the club and his strong bond with the city. He highlighted his desire to continue his successful career at Liverpool.
Liverpool's sporting director, Richard Hughes, and Van Dijk's agent, Neil Fewings, engaged in months-long negotiations. Despite speculation, both sides were committed to extending his stay.
Van Dijk has had an outstanding season and will soon celebrate Liverpool's record-equalling 20th league title. The club views retaining both Salah and Van Dijk as a statement of intent ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer transfer period. The news comes in contrast to potential departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose contract expires at the end of June.
Virgil van Dijk has followed Mohamed Salah in committing his future to Liverpool and has signed a new two-year contract.
The Liverpool captain confirmed progress was being made over his contract after the 3-2 defeat at Fulham on April 6th and indicated a deal was close after he scored the winner against West Ham on Sunday. “Everyone knows how much I love this club, and let’s see what next week will look like,” he said.
Liverpool announced on Thursday that Van Dijk had signed the deal, which will extend his hugely successful Anfield career to 2027. His previous contact was worth £220,000 a week and he will earn a similar wage, though with performance-related bonuses his pay could reach about £400,000 (€467,000) a week.
“I’m very happy, very proud,” Van Dijk said. “There are so many emotions obviously that go through my head right now speaking about it. 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.”
Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director, has been in contract negotiations with the defender’s agent, Neil Fewings, for months. Despite uncertainty and speculation over Van Dijk’s position, both parties made clear from the outset they wanted to extend his stay.
“There wasn’t any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my family,” Van Dijk said. “I’m one of Liverpool. Someone called me the other day an adopted scouser – I’m really proud to hear these things, it gives me a great feeling.”
Van Dijk will be 34 in July but has enjoyed an outstanding season under his compatriot Arne Slot and reaffirmed his status as one of the finest defender’s in the game.
He has been ever-present in the Premier League and will soon lift Liverpool’s record-equalling 20th league title. Slot’s team require only six points from six games to become champions. The title would be won as early as Sunday should Arsenal lose at Ipswich and Liverpool win at Leicester. It will add to a roll-call of honours for Van Dijk at Liverpool that also includes the Premier League title in 2020, the Champions League, the FA Cup, two League Cups, a Uefa Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
The news comes six days after Salah also signed a new deal to 2027. The third leading Liverpool player out of contract this summer, Trent Alexander-Arnold, is expected to join Real Madrid when his contract expires at the end of June. Liverpool view the retention of Salah and Van Dijk as a statement of their ambition before what the captain recently admitted would be “a big summer” for the club. - Guardian
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