Virgil van Dijk is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Liverpool and the Netherlands national team.
His exceptional defensive skills, including strength, leadership, speed and aerial ability, have made him one of the best defenders in the world.
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- Full name: Virgil Van Dijk
- Stage name: Virgil Van Dijk
- Date of birth: July 8, 1991
- Age: 32 years old
- Place of birth: Breda, Netherlands
- Nationality: Dutch
- Occupation: Soccer player
- Height: 1.95m
- Parents: Ron van Dijk and Hellen Fo Sieuw
- Siblings: 2
- Spouse: Rike Nooitgedagt
- Children: 4
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: £42 million
Early life and education
Virgil van Dijk, a famous footballer, had a deep love for the sport from his early years. He was born on July 8, 1991, in Breda, Netherlands. Throughout his growing up, his parents, Ron van Dijk and Hellen Fo Sieeuw, supported and guided him.
Additionally, he has two siblings, a younger brother and a younger sister; however, their names are yet to be made public. Unfortunately, there is no information about Van Dijk’s educational background.
Career
Virgil van Dijk started his professional football career with the famous Dutch team Groningen, where he first played in 2011.
With exceptional skills and immense potential, he quickly became one of the most talented and promising young defenders in the Netherlands. Recognizing his immense talent, Scottish club Celtic signed him in 2013, further cementing his status as a rising star in football.
During his time at Celtic, van Dijk played a key role in the team’s success, winning two Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups. He was also named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year for three consecutive seasons.
After joining Southampton in 2015 for a whopping £11.4 million, van Dijk has been a standout performer for the club, with his remarkable skills earning him the prestigious Player of the Season award in his first year and a place in the highly-regarded PFA Team of the Year for the 2016–17 season.
In January 2018, Liverpool signed van Dijk for a whopping £75 million, making him the most expensive defender in history. His arrival had an immediate impact on the team’s performance, as they finished runners-up in the Premier League and reached the UEFA Champions League final in his first season.
After making his debut for the Netherlands national team in 2015, Van Dijk established himself as a regular starter, playing a key role in the team’s third-place finish in the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League.
Awards and nominations
Individual Awards
- UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Award
- PFA Player of the Year
- Premier League Player of the Season
- FIFA Men’s Player of the Year Runner-up
- Golden Ball runner-up
- FIFA FIFPro Men World 11
- UEFA Team of the Season
- PFA Team of the Year
Club titles
- UEFA Champions League
- Premier League
- FIFA Club World Cup
- UEFA Super Cup
- Scottish Premier League
- Scottish League Cup
International honors
- UEFA Nations League runner-up
Social media
- Instagram: @virgilvandijk
- Twitter: @Virgilvandijk
- Facebook: VirgilvanDijkOfficial
- TikTok: @virgilvandijk
Personal life
Virgil van Dijk, 32, met Rike Nooitgedagt, a fashion salesman, when they were children in Breda. They started dating as teenagers and maintained a strong relationship despite being separated by Virgil’s football career.
In 2014, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Nila. Two years later, in 2016, they had their second daughter, Jadi. In 2017, Virgil and Rike finally tied the knot in a private ceremony, cementing their long-standing relationship. They continued to expand their family, welcoming two more children, whose names and details have been kept under wraps.
Net worth
Virgil van Dijk, the famous footballer, has a staggering net worth of around £42 million ($50 million). This impressive wealth has been amassed throughout his illustrious career, mainly through lucrative football contracts, numerous endorsement deals and shrewd investments.
Notably, Van Dijk holds the prestigious title of being the highest-paid player at Liverpool Football Club. He earns a staggering weekly salary of around £220,000 ($260,000), which translates to a coveted annual income of around £11.44 million ($13.5 million).
