‘MY DREAM HAS COME TRUE’ SAYS VAN DIJK, KLOPP’S £75M CHRISTMAS CRACKER
VIRGIL VAN DIJK declared his pride at joining “one of the biggest clubs in world football”, after sealing a world-record £75million move to Liverpool. Southampton agreed a deal for Van Dijk (left) to go to the Reds (boss Jurgen Klopp, right) and the Holland star completed a medical yesterday, with the move going through as soon as the window opens on Monday.
The 26-year-old – who will become the world’s most expensive defender – has agreed a contract worth
£180,000 a week after setting his heart on a move to Anfield ahead of Manchester City.
Van Dijk said: “I’m delighted and honoured to have agreed to become a Liverpool FC player.
“Today is a proud day for me and my family, as I join one of the biggest clubs in world football.
“I can’t wait to pull on the famous red shirt for the first time in front of the Kop and give everything I have to try to help this great club achieve something special in years to come.”
The Saints do not have a problem dealing with Liverpool, despite reporting them for allegedly ‘tapping up’ Van Dijk last summer.
They simply want to sell to the highest bidder. Van Dijk sent his thanks to those who developed and supported him at Saints.
He said: “I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to (Saints’ vicechairman of football) Les Reed, the board, the manager, players, fans and everyone at Southampton.
“I will always be indebted to the club for giving me the opportunity to play in the Premier League and, despite a difficult last few months, have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Saints.”
Van Dijk has struggled for form this season having had his head turned by Liverpool and was dropped from Saints’ last two matchday squads.
City made an enquiry but also have Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez (above) on their wish list and he has a £32m buy-out clause.