Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has signed a two-year contract extension that will see him stay at Anfield until the end of the 2026-27 season. He joins Mohamed Salah in recent players who have extended their stay on Merseyside.

“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.”

Van Dijk came to Anfield in 2018 from Southampton and has found great success. He is generally thought of as one of the best defenders in the world, but that hasn't stopped him from finding the back of the net also. Van Dijk has scored 27 goals in 314 appearances with the club. He has won seven major trophies as a Red. They include a Premier League title, Champions League trophy, winning the FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups.

Van Dijk also took over the captain's armband in 2023 and also coached the Dutch in international competitions. Other individual honours include a runner-up to Messi in the Ballon d'Or voting in 2019.

Despite his success at all levels, van Dijk is proud of what he has accomplished with Liverpool.

“There wasn't any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my family,” he 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.”

Teammates are also glad to have their captain in a Reds' shirt for another season. Fellow defender Andy Robertson says that “ I'm getting bored speaking about how good he is! He's been brilliant [since joining Liverpool]. I've had the pleasure of working alongside him for the majority of time on the left-hand side of the defence. He's just a great lad to have next to you – I'm not sure he will say the same about me! I think we have had a good relationship, we work together.”

Stay tuned to LFC Globe as the Reds close in on a Premier League Title, which they could clinch in April with a win and an Arsenal loss.