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Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Liverpool and the Netherlands national team.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Virgil van Dijk is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Liverpool and the Netherlands national team. Born in Breda in 1991, he has been widely regarded as one of the leading defenders of his generation. He joined Liverpool in January 2018 and became club captain in 2023.

Early life and career

Van Dijk was born on 8 July 1991 in Breda, Netherlands. He developed as a professional footballer in the Netherlands before moving into senior club football in Europe. He later played for Celtic and Southampton before joining Liverpool.

Liverpool career

Liverpool signed van Dijk from Southampton in January 2018 for a fee reported at about €84 million, making him one of the most expensive defenders of all time. He became one of Liverpool’s key defenders and later club captain. In 2019, he won the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award.

International career

Van Dijk made his senior debut for the Netherlands in 2015 and later became national-team captain. He has been a central figure in the Dutch defence at major international tournaments.

Injuries

Van Dijk suffered a serious knee injury in October 2020 after a collision with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. The injury kept him out for an extended period, but he returned to professional football afterward.

Key facts

  • Van Dijk was born on 8 July 1991 in Breda, Netherlands.
  • He plays as a centre-back and captains Liverpool and the Netherlands national team.
  • He moved from Southampton to Liverpool in January 2018.
  • Sources report Liverpool paid about €84 million, or £75 million, for the transfer.
  • He won the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award in 2019.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Virgil van Dijk?
He was born on 8 July 1991, so he is 34 years old.
What injury did Virgil van Dijk have?
He suffered a serious knee injury in 2020 after a collision with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Is Virgil van Dijk still playing?
Yes. He is listed as a current Liverpool player and Netherlands international.
What position does Virgil van Dijk play?
He plays as a centre-back, or central defender.
How much did Virgil van Dijk cost Liverpool?
Liverpool’s fee is widely reported as about £75 million, or about €84 million.
Who is Virgil van Dijk's wife?
His wife is Rike Nooitgedagt.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgil_van_Dijk
    Supports: Date of birth, nationality, position, Liverpool and Netherlands roles, and overview biography.
  2. Soccerbase — https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=59442
    Supports: Age, birthplace, position, current club, and Liverpool transfer fee.
  3. Transfermarkt — https://www.transfermarkt.com/virgil-van-dijk/profil/spieler/139208
    Supports: Birth date, position, current club, and contract/transfer-related profile details.
  4. Premier League — https://www.premierleague.com/en/players/97032/virgil-van-dijk/overview
    Supports: Nationality, preferred foot, date of birth, and current club profile.
  5. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/157892/virgil-van-dijk
    Supports: Birthdate, age, club, and position.
  6. Famous Birthdays — https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/virgil-vandijk.html
    Supports: Wife's name and family details.