SAN FRANCISCO, December 28, (THEWILL) – Liverpool have signed Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk for a whooping £75m in a deal that makes the Dutch international the world’s most expensive defender.
“Liverpool Football Club can confirm they have reached an agreement with Southampton for the transfer of Virgil van Dijk,” a statement on the club’s website revealed.
“The Reds have agreed a deal with the south coast club, and the player himself, that will see the 26-year-old defender move to Anfield when the transfer window re-opens on January 1, 2018.
“The Netherlands international will be assigned squad number four, upon his arrival at Liverpool.”
The previous world record transfer for a defender was the £54m Manchester City paid Tottenham for England right-back Kyle Walker in the close-season.
Southampton also confirmed that Liverpool’s offer had shattered the record, but didn’t reveal the exact fee.
“Southampton have agreed a fee that will set a new world-record for a defender,” it revealed.
“The club wishes Virgil well in his future when the deal is completed on January 1st 2018.”
