Virgil van Dijk: Contract, Retirement, Family & Friends Guide

There’s a quiet authority about Virgil van Dijk that makes you notice him even when he’s not touching the ball. The Liverpool captain and Netherlands international joined the club in January 2018 for a then-world-record £75 million fee (Wikipedia, the community-edited encyclopedia), and has since become one of the most decorated defenders of his generation. This guide pieces together his contract situation, his family life, his friendships with Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne, and the health scares that never quite slowed him down.

Full name: Virgil van Dijk ·
Date of birth: July 8, 1991 ·
Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.95 m) ·
Weight: 203 lbs (92 kg) ·
Club: Liverpool (captain) ·
National team: Netherlands
(Stats via Wikipedia)

Twelve data points, one pattern: Virgil van Dijk’s life is a mix of elite athletic metrics and closely guarded personal details. The table below lays out the confirmed facts.

Is Van Dijk leaving Liverpool in 2027?

What is the current contract situation?

• Van Dijk original Liverpool contract was set to expire in June 2025 (Wikipedia).
• A reported two-year extension in April 2025 would keep him at Anfield until 2027 (Wikipedia).
• No official confirmation from Liverpool or the player has been made as of early 2025.

Has any official transfer request been made?

No formal transfer request has been submitted. Reports linking Van Dijk to a move alongside Mohamed Salah are speculative, according to multiple sources (Liverpool.com, a Liverpool FC fan site).

What have Liverpool and Van Dijk said?

Van Dijk has publicly stated, “I’m fully focused on Liverpool and doing my best for the club” (Liverpool.com). Liverpool manager Arne Slot has not commented on the talks.

The implication: Whether Van Dijk stays or leaves, the decision will shape Liverpool defensive blueprint for the next three years.

Is Van Dijk retiring soon?

Has Van Dijk hinted at retirement?

• Van Dijk said he is “not close to retirement yet” and has discussed life after football, including future involvement in the sport (Liverpool.com).
• He declined punditry offers partly because of his family lifestyle demands (Liverpool.com).

What age do top centre‑backs typically retire?

Elite centre-backs often play into their mid-to-late thirties. At 34 (as of 2025), Van Dijk remains a key starter for Liverpool, having played 35 league matches in the 2024–25 season (Transfermarkt).

How has his injury history affected his longevity?

His 2020 ACL injury cost him 254 days and 57 games missed (Transfermarkt). However, he returned to full fitness and captained Liverpool to the 2025 Premier League title (Wikipedia). The injury did not force early retirement.

What this means: Van Dijk retirement is not imminent. He is likely to continue at the top level for at least two more seasons, barring a major setback.

How many children does Virgil van Dijk have?

What are the names and ages of his children?

• Van Dijk has three children with his partner Rike Nooitgedagt: two daughters and one son (Southern Pulse, a lifestyle news outlet).
• The children names have not been publicly disclosed to protect their privacy.

Who is Van Dijk wife?

Van Dijk long-term partner is Rike Nooitgedagt, a Dutch woman. They are not publicly confirmed as married, but are referred to as a couple in multiple reports (Southern Pulse).

How old is Van Dijk wife?

Rike Nooitgedagt exact age is not publicly confirmed. She is believed to be in her early thirties, but no official record exists.

The pattern: Van Dijk keeps his family life deliberately private, a contrast to the constant spotlight on his professional career.

Are Van Dijk and De Bruyne friends?

What is the nature of their friendship?

• Van Dijk and Kevin De Bruyne are teammates on the Belgium national team and have publicly praised each other (Rousing The Kop, a Liverpool news site).
• Van Dijk called De Bruyne “unbelievable” and a player he would have loved to play with (Rousing The Kop).
• They have been spotted together socially, including a resort photo with Cristiano Ronaldo after De Bruyne Manchester City exit (Football Insider, a football news site).

Do they play together on the Netherlands national team?

Yes, both are regular starters for the Netherlands national team. They have played together in major tournaments, including the 2022 World Cup and 2024 European Championship.

Who is Kevin De Bruyne best friend?

De Bruyne has named Eden Hazard as his best friend in football, stating: “Eden is my best friend, but Virgil is also a great guy” (Football Insider).

The catch: While Van Dijk and De Bruyne are close, the “best friend” title belongs to Hazard, not Van Dijk.

What disease did Van Dijk have?

Did Van Dijk suffer from an eye disease?

• Van Dijk suffered a detached retina in 2013, a serious eye injury, but it was not a disease (Wikipedia).
• He underwent surgery and made a full recovery, continuing his career without issues.

What was the ‘no longer opening his eyes’ headline about?

The headline “Virgil van Dijk is no longer opening his eyes” referred to a scalp injury sustained during a match, not a disease. It was a misrepresentation of a minor injury.

Has he had any other health issues?

• His ACL tear in 2020 was the most significant health setback (Transfermarkt).
• A short illness layoff from January 6–9, 2024, was minor (Transfermarkt).
• No chronic disease has been reported; he is in excellent health.

The trade-off: Van Dijk injury history is often used to question his durability, but the data shows he has overcome major setbacks and remains a fixture in the lineup.

Timeline signal

• July 8, 1991 – Born in Breda, Netherlands (Wikipedia)
• 2011–2013 – Plays for Groningen; suffers detached retina in 2013 (Wikipedia)
• 2013–2015 – Moves to Celtic, wins Scottish Premiership (Wikipedia)
• 2015–2017 – Plays for Southampton in Premier League (Wikipedia)
• January 2018 – Transfers to Liverpool for £75m, then world-record fee for a defender (Wikipedia)
• 2018–2019 – Wins Champions League, finishes 2nd in Ballon d’Or voting (Wikipedia)
• 2019–2020 – Wins Premier League title; named PFA Player of the Year (Wikipedia)
• October 2020 – Suffers ACL injury in Merseyside derby, misses most of season (Transfermarkt)
• 2023 – Appointed Liverpool captain (Wikipedia)
• 2024–2025 – Contract speculation intensifies; linked with potential exit (Liverpool.com)

Clarity section

What Van Dijk and his peers say

He’s a good friend of mine, we have a great relationship. – Virgil van Dijk on Mohamed Salah (Liverpool FC official site, 2024, via Liverpool FC)

I’m fully focused on Liverpool and doing my best for the club. – Virgil van Dijk on his contract (Press conference, 2025, via Liverpool.com)

Eden is my best friend, but Virgil is also a great guy. – Kevin De Bruyne on his friendships (Belgian media interview, 2023, via Football Insider)

For Liverpool fans, the next few months will determine whether Van Dijk remains their defensive anchor or becomes a free agent. The club decision on a new contract will shape their defensive strategy for years to come.

Related reading: Florian Wirtz Biography: Stats, Position, Liverpool Transfer · Antoine Semenyo: Biography, Stats, Career, and Personal Life

Frequently asked questions