Virgil van Dijk: Contract, Family, Friendships, Health & Future

Few defenders have reshaped a club’s fortunes the way Virgil van Dijk has at Liverpool, anchoring a Champions League title, a Premier League crown, and a transformation that made him a household name since arriving in January 2018. This profile pulls together the latest verified facts on his contract, his family, his friendships on and off the pitch, and the health rumors that keep popping up online.

Height: 6’5″ (1.96 m) ·
Age: 35 (born 8 July 1991) ·
Club: Liverpool FC ·
Position: Centre-back ·
Nationality: Netherlands

Ten key facts about Van Dijk, one pattern: his career has been defined by major milestones both on and off the pitch.

Is Van Dijk Leaving Liverpool in 2027?

Current contract status

On 17 April 2025, Liverpool FC announced that Virgil van Dijk had signed a new contract, committing him to the club “beyond the 2024-25 season.” Sky Sports reported that the extension runs until summer 2027, a detail confirmed by Al Jazeera.

Bombshell update: Van Dijk and Salah

Earlier rumors that Van Dijk might leave alongside Mohamed Salah were overtaken by events. Liverpool FC stated that Salah had already agreed fresh terms a week before Van Dijk’s announcement. The Athletic reported on 9 April 2025 that both players were “closing in on new two-year contracts.” ESPN described them as “secured until at least summer 2027.”

Retirement rumors

Van Dijk has not publicly announced any retirement plans. At 33 when he signed the extension, he is now under contract through his 36th birthday. The implication: Liverpool has locked in its defensive leader for the remainder of his prime years, and any talk of an early exit is now off the table.

What Is Van Dijk’s Ethnicity and Background?

Parents and heritage

Virgil van Dijk was born in Breda, Netherlands, to a Dutch father and a Surinamese mother. He holds Dutch nationality and is of mixed (Dutch and Surinamese) ethnicity. This background is documented in his BBC Sport profile.

Mixed ethnicity

The question “What is Van Dijk mixed with?” often arises from fan curiosity. The answer is straightforward: Dutch and Surinamese. His father is Dutch, his mother is Surinamese, and he grew up in the Netherlands. The pattern: Van Dijk’s heritage reflects the multicultural fabric of Dutch football, where players of Surinamese descent are common.

How Many Children Does Virgil van Dijk Have?

Family details

Van Dijk has two daughters. He is married to Rike Nooitgedagt, a Dutch model and photographer. The couple married in 2017 and have kept their family life relatively private, though Van Dijk has occasionally shared photos on social media.

Wife

Rike Nooitgedagt is a Dutch model and photographer. She and Van Dijk have been together since before his move to Liverpool. According to BBC Sport, the family has settled in the Liverpool area. The catch: the family has settled in the Liverpool area, away from the spotlight.

Are Van Dijk and De Bruyne Friends? And What About Salah?

Friendship with Kevin De Bruyne

Van Dijk and Kevin De Bruyne are friends and national teammates. The nature of their relationship has been a topic of fan curiosity for years.

Friendship with Mohamed Salah

Van Dijk has publicly called Mohamed Salah a “good friend.” In an interview with Liverpool FC’s official site, he described Salah as “a good friend of mine.” The two players have been teammates at Liverpool since 2017 and both signed new contracts in April 2025.

De Bruyne’s best friend

De Bruyne’s closest friend is often reported as Thibaut Courtois or Van Dijk, but no official confirmation exists. The pattern: celebrity friendships are widely speculated but rarely verified with primary sources.

What Health Issues Did Van Dijk Have and How Many Languages Does He Speak?

Health issues

Van Dijk suffered a serious knee injury in October 2020, an anterior cruciate ligament tear that sidelined him for most of the 2020-21 season. BBC Sport reported the injury in detail. The viral headline “VIRGIL VAN DIJK IS NO LONGER OPENING HIS EYES” is a sensational meme, not a medical fact. There is no record of any disease.

Languages spoken

Van Dijk speaks Dutch (his native language), English (fluent), and some German. ESPN noted his multilingual ability in a profile. The catch: while he is often described as speaking “four languages,” the fourth is not confirmed in any credible source.

Timeline

• 8 July 1991: Born in Breda, Netherlands. (BBC Sport)
• 2015: Moved to Southampton after spells at Groningen and Celtic. (BBC Sport)
• January 2018: Joined Liverpool for a then-world record fee for a defender. (Liverpool FC)
• 2019: Won UEFA Champions League with Liverpool. (Liverpool FC)
• 2020: Suffered serious knee injury, missed most of the season. (BBC Sport)
• 2023: Appointed Liverpool captain. (Liverpool FC)
• 2025: Signed new contract with Liverpool until 2027. (Sky Sports)

Clarity: Confirmed vs. Unclear

Quotes

“I’m very happy, very proud.”

– Virgil van Dijk, speaking to beIN SPORTS

Van Dijk told beIN SPORTS it was “always Liverpool” and there was “never any doubt” that this was the place for him and his family.

Van Dijk described Mohamed Salah as “a good friend of mine” in an interview with Liverpool FC’s official site.

Summary

Virgil van Dijk’s 2025 contract extension ends months of speculation about his future. For Liverpool fans, the implication is clear: the club’s captain, a linchpin of their recent successes, will remain at Anfield through his 36th birthday. For the player, the decision to stay means finishing his prime in the Premier League rather than chasing a final payday elsewhere. The trade-off is that he may never play for a club outside England again — but based on his own words, that was never the plan.

Frequently asked questions