Van Dijk extends Liverpool contract for two more years amid age concerns

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk (32, Liverpool) is on the verge of signing a contract extension.

European transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano reported on the 11th (Korean time) that 'Liverpool and van Dijk have agreed to a two-year contract extension. The contract will be valid until June 2027, and the official signing process will take place soon.'

Van Dijk, a center-back from the Netherlands, began his professional career at Groningen. He later transferred to Celtic in 2013 and was named to the Scottish Premiership Best XI for two consecutive seasons.

Growing into a top class defender at Southampton, van Dijk transferred to Liverpool through the winter transfer market in the 2017-2018 season. He then experienced his prime at Liverpool, winning the UEFA Champions League and the English Premier League (EPL). In the 2018-2019 season, he won the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Player of the Year award, the first defender to do so in 14 years.

He continues to perform as Liverpool's captain this season. Van Dijk has appeared in 31 league matches, recording 1 goal and 1 assist. With van Dijk's solid defense, Liverpool is leading the EPL with 73 points, holding an 11-point gap over second-place Arsenal, increasing their likelihood of winning the league.

However, until recently, his future had been uncertain. Van Dijk's existing contract was set to expire in June. Multiple European powerhouses, including Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, and Bayern Munich, showed interest, sparking transfer rumors.

Liverpool actively negotiated to prevent the departure of their key defender and is now close to agreeing to a contract extension. Previously, Liverpool also extended their contract with striker Mohamed Salah until June 2027.

Van Dijk is expected to remain an iconic figure for the club. Joining Liverpool in January 2018, if he fulfills his contract, he will have spent nine and a half years with the team. As captain, he has already lifted every major trophy and is deemed deserving of the title of Liverpool legend.

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