Virgil Van Dijk is Focused and ready for action. | © Twitter (@VirgilvDijk)
Virgil van Dijk is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a center-back for Premier League club Liverpool and the Netherlands national team. Renowned for his strength, leadership, and aerial ability, Van Dijk is considered one of the best defenders in the world. Since joining Liverpool in 2018, he has played a pivotal role in their successes, including winning the UEFA Champions League and Premier League. His commanding presence on the field and exceptional defensive skills have earned him numerous individual accolades.
Personal Information
| Full Name | Virgil van Dijk |
| Date of Birth | July 8, 1991 |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Birth Place | Breda, Netherlands |
| Height | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) |
| Current Team(s) | Liverpool Football Club |
| Position | Defender |
| Debut | May 1, 2011 |
| Net Worth | $30 million |
| Agent | ROOF |
Early Life
Van Dijk began his football journey at the local amateur club WDS’19 before moving to the youth academy of Willem II Tilburg, a professional Dutch football team. In his early years, he experimented with various roles on the field, including striker and midfielder, but ultimately found his niche as a center-back. His talent was evident, leading to his discovery by FC Groningen, where he launched his professional career.
Club Career
Virgil van Dijk began his professional career with FC Groningen in 2011, where he played 66 games and scored 7 goals over two seasons. He then joined Celtic in 2013, becoming a key player and helping them win several titles. In 2015, he moved to Southampton, where he was named Player of the Year. In January 2018, van Dijk transferred to Liverpool for £75 million, playing a crucial role in their UEFA Champions League win in 2019 and their first Premier League title in 30 years in 2020. He has made 212 appearances and scored 19 goals for Liverpool, earning recognition as one of the world’s top defenders.
International Career
Van Dijk began playing for the Netherlands in 2015 against Kazakhstan. He’s been a key defender ever since, helping the team to the UEFA Nations League final in 2019, where they lost to Portugal. In the semi-finals against England, he was named Player of the Match. He also played in Euro 2020 until an earlier season injury sidelined him. Van Dijk now captains the squad, with 54 appearances and six goals for his country.
Records
In the 2018-19 season, van Dijk played a crucial role in Liverpool achieving 20 clean sheets in the Premier League, surpassing the club’s previous record of 18. He was honored as the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year for that season, making history as the first defender to receive this prestigious award. Van Dijk also set a new record by winning 23 consecutive Premier League matches from January to October 2019, the most by any single player. Additionally, he became the fastest Liverpool player to reach 50 Premier League wins, achieving this milestone in just 61 games.
Virgil Van Dijk | Net Worth, Family, Wife and Houses
Net Worth
Virgil van Dijk’s net worth is £42 million, earned through his football career in the Netherlands, Scotland, and England.
Family
Virgil van Dijk’s father is Ron van Dijk, and his mother is Ruby van Dijk. He has three siblings, including his younger brother Jordan, who is also a professional football player. He goes by just his first name on his jersey because of a disagreement with his father, who left the family when Virgil was young.
Wife
Van Dijk is married to his longtime girlfriend Rike Nooitgedagt. They have two children together: a son named Jax and a daughter named Nila.
Houses
He currently resides in a luxurious villa in Liverpool, United Kingdom. There isn’t much other information available about the other houses he owns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Virgil van Dijk is a professional footballer who plays as a central defender (center-back).
As of 2024, Virgil van Dijk plays for Liverpool FC, a club in the English Premier League.
Virgil van Dijk is known for his strong defensive skills, leadership qualities, aerial ability, and calmness under pressure. He is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the world.
Yes, Virgil van Dijk has won several major trophies, including the UEFA Champions League (2018-2019), the Premier League (2019-2020), and the FIFA Club World Cup (2019) with Liverpool.
Virgil van Dijk represents the Netherlands national football team and has been a key player and captain for his country.
Virgil van Dijk earns nearly $230,000 every week at Liverpool, making him one of the highest-paid players in the league and especially among defenders. He signed a contract extension with Liverpool in the summer of 2021, securing a new deal that pays him around $12 million per year.
