Virgil van Dijk has committed his future to Liverpool by signing a new two-year deal, the club have announced.
The Reds captain’s contract had been set to expire at the end of this season, sparking fears of a summer exit.
However, Van Dijk has now followed in the footsteps of Mohamed Salah by extending his stay at Anfield.
talkSPORT understands the Dutch defender will earn in the region of £400,000-a-week, putting him among the highest-paid defenders in world football.
Van Dijk never actively engaged in talks with other clubs over a move away from Merseyside.
The 33-year-old had been free to negotiate with foreign clubs since January 1 after entering the final six months of his deal.
“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.”
He added: “It was always Liverpool. That was the case. It was always in my head, it was always the plan and it was always Liverpool.
“There wasn’t any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my family. 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.”
Salah also penned a new two-year deal last week, with his contract now running until the summer of 2027.
Along with Trent Alexander-Arnold, the trio’s futures have been the club’s biggest concern this season.
Unlike Salah and Van Dijk, though, the full-back looks set to leave the club in the summer.
Alexander Arnold has agreed terms on a five-year deal with Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, Van Dijk’s new deal comes as a massive boost to Arne Slot’s side as they close in on the Premier League title.
The Dutch defender has already won eight trophies since signing from Southampton in 2018.
In the seven years since, he has made 314 appearances for the club, scoring 27 goals from centre-back.
The latest of those strikes came on Sunday as he scored the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over West Ham.
GettyVan Dijk had ‘no doubts’ over extending his stay at Anfield beyond this summer[/caption]
Van Dijk also succeeded Jordan Henderson as club captain following the midfielder’s exit two years ago.
He is now closing in on the chance to lift the Premier League trophy at the end of this season.
Speaking on Van Dijk’s decision to stay at Anfield, talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan said: “He’s a very good player.
“They will watch him get old at Liverpool and they may see the consequence, but he looks after himself, he’s fit, he’s a leader.
“Liverpool are lucky that there wasn’t a bigger and better team that wanted him, as he might have done to them what he did to Southampton.”
Liverpool are 13 points clear of nearest challengers Arsenal with just six matches remaining.
The Reds need just two wins from those fixtures to clinch the title and could do so against Tottenham on April 27.
