Liverpool have confirmed their £75 million deal to sign Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk, with the Dutchman set to join on January 1.he Reds moved quickly to agree a fee before the winter transfer window opens on Monday, finally securing Jurgen Klopp‘s priority defensive target.

And they have now announced the signing, with Van Dijk set to wear the No. 4 shirt.

The deal will reportedly see Liverpool pay Southampton £70 million up front, with this later rising to £75 million.

Van Dijk underwent a medical on Wednesday afternoon, and is set to sign a four-and-a-half-year, £180,000-a-week contract that will make him the club’s highest earner.

He takes over from Philippe Coutinho, who penned a £150,000-a-week deal in January, with Van Dijk set to stay at Anfield until at least 2022.

The 26-year-old will join Liverpool on the turn of the year, becoming the most expensive signing in the club’s history.

It is also the world-record deal for a defender, eclipsing the £54 million paid by Man City for Kyle Walker in the summer.

Van Dijk will arrive in time for the Reds’ trip to take on Burnley in the Premier League on New Year’s Day, and having returned to full fitness after injury issues this season, could be in line for his debut.

However, it may be that he is reserved for the FA Cup third-round clash with Everton on January 5, particularly depending on registration issues.

He is likely to partner Joel Matip as part of Klopp’s first-choice centre-back pairing, seeing another former Saints defender, Dejan Lovren, demoted to a covering role.And taking to Twitter to release a statement on the announcement of the deal, Van Dijk could not hide his excitement at securing his dream move.“Delighted and honoured to have agreed to become a Liverpool FC player!” he wrote.

“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 [I] will give everything I have to try and help this great club achieve something special in the years to come.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Les Reed, the board, 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 few months I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Saints and have made friends for life at the club. Thank you for everything.

“Thank you for all the messages of support. I’m now looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and getting started.”

Politics section?

What a waste of money by Liverpool for a defender? There has to be a solution to crazy transfer fee paid to overrated players.

edoman2016:
What a waste of money by Liverpool for a defender? There has to be a solution to crazy transfer fee paid to overrated players.

hmmm obviously uve not seen this guy play.


ROCK solid. tho the price is high

He will be a great signing.

I wish klopp can get another 1 or 2 defender(s) like this guy and LFC is very good to go