Virgil van Dijk, born on the 8th of July 1991 in the Netherlands, is a defender who primarily plays centre back, currently for Liverpool. Standing at a formidable 6ft 3in (1.93m) and weighing in at 14 stone 6 pounds (92kg), Van Dijk is a defining figure on the pitch, showcasing both speed and strength. Having gained recognition at an international level, he has represented the Netherlands as part of the national team.
Van Dijk's professional career began in July 2010 when he joined FC Groningen in the Eredivisie in the Netherlands. During the debut season of 2010-2011, he made two first-team appearances in league matches. His performance improved in the successive seasons, enabling him to make more appearances and score several goals. In 2011-2012, he made 23 first team appearances and scored three goals, while in 2012-2013 he made 32 first-team appearances and scored twice.
In July 2013, Van Dijk transferred from FC Groningen to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership for a fee of around £2.6 million. His period at Celtic would prove to be highly eventful with regular appearances and a considerable contribution to the team's offence. In the 2013-2014 season, he made 36 first team appearances and scored five goals in league matches. The following 2014-2015 season witnessed him again making a significant contribution, with 35 first-team appearances and four goals. His final 2015-2016 season at Celtic witnessed him taking to the field for five first team appearances in league matches.
In September 2015, van Dijk transferred from Celtic to Southampton in the Premiership for a fee of around £12 million. His game continued to gain momentum as he made regular appearances for the club. His time at Southampton was short-lived as he transferred yet again in January 2018. This time to Liverpool in the Premier League for a transfer fee of a staggering £75 million – setting a world-record transfer fee for a defender.
Van Dijk's tenure at Liverpool has seen him make consistent appearances for the club, with a notable scoring record. He played a crucial role in Liverpool's campaigns across various domestic and international tournaments, including the Premier League, the Champions League, the League Cup, and the Europa League. As of the current season of 2024-2025, Van Dijk has made 37 first team appearances, scoring three goals for Liverpool. He participated in the World Cup Qualifiers Europe 2024-2026 for the Netherlands scoring once in two starts and made six starts at Euro 2024.
