Virgil van Dijk is synonymous with strength, leadership, and footballing excellence. Embracing his journey from a humble beginning to global stardom, Van Dijk’s story is one of perseverance, unmatched skill, and humility. Here’s a comprehensive guide to his personal life, career highlights, relationships, finances, contracts, endorsements, records, and more.
Virgil van Dijk’s Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Virgil van Dijk |
| Nickname | The Colossus |
| Born | July 8, 1991 |
| Age | 34 years |
| College | Willem II Youth Academy |
| Religion | Christian |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Height | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) |
| Turned Pro | 2011 |
| Net Worth | $45 million |
| Salary | Estimated $12 million/year |
| Spouse | Rike Nooitgedagt |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Instagram Profile | @virgilvandijk |
Early Career
Born in Breda, Netherlands, Virgil van Dijk developed his footballing skills at the Willem II Academy before transferring to Groningen’s youth setup. After refining his defensive abilities, Van Dijk earned his senior debut for Groningen in 2011, quickly catching attention for his calmness and physical prowess.
Professional Career
Van Dijk’s rise through the football hierarchy started at Groningen, where his talent prompted a move to Celtic in 2013. His time with Celtic saw him claim two Scottish Premiership titles and gain valuable European experience. In 2015, he transferred to Southampton, solidifying his reputation in the Premier League.
In January 2018, Liverpool made Van Dijk the world’s most expensive defender at the time. His immediate impact transformed Liverpool’s defence, helping the team win the UEFA Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020. Van Dijk has since become an indispensable leader, recognized for aerial dominance, smart positioning, and motivational qualities.
Married
Virgil van Dijk has been happily married to Rike Nooitgedagt, his longtime partner. The couple shares a stable and loving relationship, and together they have a daughter named Nila van Dijk. Van Dijk has often credited Rike with supporting him through the ups and downs of his career.
Virgil van Dijk’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Virgil van Dijk’s net worth is estimated to be around $45 million. This includes earnings from salary, bonuses, endorsements, and investments.
Contract Details
Van Dijk signed a contract extension with Liverpool in August 2021, which keeps him at the club until June 2025. His annual salary is estimated to be around $12 million, with potential performance bonuses and team incentives. While Liverpool values Van Dijk’s consistency and leadership, his contract includes clauses for appearances and team achievements.
Career Earnings
| Year | Club | Estimated Earnings (USD) |
| 2011-2013 | Groningen | $0.3 million |
| 2013-2015 | Celtic | $2 million |
| 2015-2018 | Southampton | $6 million |
| 2018-2025 | Liverpool | $35 million |
| Endorsements | Various | $5 million |
| Total | — | $48.3 million |
Endorsements
- Nike
- Beats by Dre
- EA Sports
- Red Bull
- Pepsi
- Hugo Boss
- Vivo
- JBL
- Bulldog Skincare
- Foot Locker
Career Records
| Notable Opponent | Competition | Key Match Detail |
| Lionel Messi | UEFA Champions League | Liverpool beat Barcelona 4-0 (2019) |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | UEFA Champions League | Faced with Manchester United |
| Harry Kane | Premier League | Multiple Premier League duels |
| Karim Benzema | UEFA Champions League | Matchups against Real Madrid |
| Erling Haaland | Premier League | Encounters against Manchester City |
| Robert Lewandowski | UEFA Champions League | Champions League contests |
| Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | Premier League | Arsenal-Liverpool fixtures |
| Romelu Lukaku | Premier League | Liverpool vs Manchester United/Chelsea |
| Zlatan Ibrahimović | UEFA Europa League | Facing Manchester United |
| Mohamed Salah* | Premier League | Liverpool training and matches |
| (*As a teammate, friendly competition and training) |
FAQs
1. When was Virgil van Dijk born and where is he from?
Virgil van Dijk was born on July 8, 1991, in Breda, Netherlands. His father is Dutch and his mother is from Suriname. He began his youth football career with WDS’19 Breda before joining the youth academy of Willem II Tilburg.
2. What is Virgil van Dijk’s current position and which club does he play for?
Virgil van Dijk is a centre-back who plays for Liverpool FC in the English Premier League. He has been with Liverpool since January 2018, when the club signed him from Southampton for £75 million, making him the most expensive defender at that time. He currently serves as the club captain.
3. How much does Virgil van Dijk earn at Liverpool?
According to recent reports, Virgil van Dijk earns approximately £350,000 per week, totaling around £18.2 million per year. With performance-related bonuses, his salary can reach up to £400,000 per week. He is the third-highest-paid player in the Premier League, behind Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland.
4. What are Virgil van Dijk’s major career achievements and trophies?
Van Dijk has won numerous prestigious awards and trophies including one UEFA Champions League title (2019), two Premier League titles (2020, 2025), one FIFA Club World Cup (2020), one UEFA Super Cup (2020), two English League Cups (2022, 2024), and one FA Cup (2022). He was also named UEFA Men’s Player of the Year in 2019, PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 2019, and Premier League Player of the Season in 2019. He finished as runner-up for the Ballon d’Or in 2019.
5. Did Virgil van Dijk suffer a serious injury during his career?
Yes, Van Dijk suffered a severe ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury in October 2020 when he was challenged by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. This injury sidelined him for approximately nine months, and he missed the postponed Euro 2020. He made his return to competitive football in July 2021 and has since fully recovered to become one of the world’s best defenders.
6. How is Virgil van Dijk related to his wife Rike Nooitgedagt?
Virgil van Dijk and Rike Nooitgedagt are childhood sweethearts who grew up together in Breda, Netherlands. They began dating as teenagers and got married in the summer of 2017. They have two daughters: Nila, born in September 2014, and Jadi, born in 2016.
7. What record did Virgil van Dijk set as captain of the Netherlands?
In November 2025, Virgil van Dijk set a new national record by captaining the Netherlands for the 72nd time, surpassing Frank de Boer’s previous record. Van Dijk has earned 88 senior caps for his country and was appointed captain by Ronald Koeman in March 2018.
8. What is Virgil van Dijk’s fastest recorded speed?
Virgil van Dijk reached a top speed of 34.5 kilometers per hour (22 mph) during a Champions League semi-final match against Barcelona in May 2019. This was the fastest sprint recorded in the entire 2018-19 Champions League season, making him the fastest player that season.
9. What clubs did Virgil van Dijk play for before joining Liverpool?
Before joining Liverpool in 2018, Virgil van Dijk played for FC Groningen (2011-2013), where he made his professional debut. He then joined Scottish club Celtic (2013-2015) and won two Scottish Premiership titles and was named Scottish Professional Football League Player of the Year in 2014-15. He later played for Southampton (2015-2018) in the English Premier League.
10. When does Virgil van Dijk’s current Liverpool contract expire?
Virgil van Dijk signed a new two-year contract extension with Liverpool in April 2025. His current contract is set to expire in June 2027, keeping him at Anfield until the end of the 2026-27 season.