Who Is Virgil van Dijk? Age, Biography and Wiki
As of 2025, Virgil van Dijk is 33 years old. He was born in Breda, Netherlands, and began his professional career at Groningen before moving on to clubs like Celtic, Southampton, and currently, Liverpool FC. His leadership on the field and exceptional defensive skills have earned him numerous accolades and a reputation as one of the best defenders in the sport. You can learn more about his career and achievements on his Wikipedia Page.
| Occupation | Footballer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 8, 1991 |
| Age | 33 Years |
| Birth Place | Breda, Netherlands |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | Netherlands |
Popularity
Virgil van Dijk's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Virgil van Dijk stands an impressive 1.93 meters (6 feet 4 inches) tall and weighs around 92 kg (202 lbs). His remarkable height and physical presence on the pitch allow him to excel in aerial duels and defensive maneuvers. His physique is complemented by an athletic build, making him a formidable opponent for any forward.
Having previously and unsuccessfully featured as a right-back, Van Dijk was shifted into a central defensive position in 2008, aged 17, after he grew in height by around 18 centimetres.
Despite the positional shift and Van Dijk's physical growth, Willem II's reserve manager at the time Edwin Hermans believed he had "too many limitations" which prevented him from breaking into the first team. The club therefore did not want to offer him a contract.
He left for Groningen at the age of 19 in 2010, on a free transfer, after being scouted by former Dutch international Martin Koeman, who was working for Groningen at the time.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
In terms of his personal life, Virgil is currently in a relationship with his longtime partner, Rike Nooitgedagt. The couple has been together for several years and shares a strong bond, often seen supporting each other through various endeavors. They welcomed their first child together in 2014, enhancing their family dynamic. While van Dijk tends to keep most details of his personal life private, he occasionally shares glimpses of his family on social media, reflecting his commitment as a father and partner.
Van Dijk grew up in Kesteren, in the Haagse Beemden district of Breda. His father left the family when he was 11 years old. Van Dijk first lived with his father for a while before making the choice to go back to live with his mother, after which his father broke off contact.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Virgil van Dijk's estimated net worth is around $50 million, making him one of the wealthiest football players in the world. His salary at Liverpool reportedly exceeds $10 million annually, including bonuses and incentives. Additionally, he has significant earnings from endorsements, sponsorships, and personal appearances, further contributing to his impressive financial portfolio.
Career, Business and Investments
Virgil van Dijk's career has seen a meteoric rise since he joined Liverpool FC in 2018. His contributions helped Liverpool secure the UEFA Champions League title in 2019 and the Premier League title in 2020. Known for his strategic thinking and versatility, van Dijk has set himself apart not just as a player but also as a leader on and off the field.
In terms of business ventures, van Dijk has invested in several enterprises, including sports-related projects and charitable initiatives. His keen interest in sustainability has led him to support eco-friendly startups and athlete wellness programs.
After beginning his professional career with Groningen, Van Dijk moved to Celtic in 2013. At Celtic, he won the Scottish Premiership and was named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year in both of his seasons with the club, and won the Scottish League Cup in the second.
In 2015, he joined Southampton before signing for Liverpool in January 2018 for £75 million, a then-world-record transfer fee for a defender. With Liverpool, Van Dijk reached back-to-back UEFA Champions League finals in 2018 and 2019, winning the latter.
He was also named PFA Players' Player of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Season in his first full season. Van Dijk later won the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup, and helped end the club's 30-year league title drought by winning the 2019–20 Premier League.
He is the only defender to win the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award, and has finished runner-up for both the Ballon d'Or and Best FIFA Men's Player, all in 2019. Van Dijk has also been selected in the FIFPRO Men's World 11 in four different years.
Social Network
Virgil van Dijk is actively engaged with his fanbase on social media, primarily through platforms like Instagram and Twitter. With millions of followers, he uses these platforms to share insights into his training regimen, match day experiences, and glimpses of his personal life. His social media presence enhances his brand, making him a relatable figure to fans worldwide.
Neil McGuinness, senior scout at Celtic when Van Dijk was signed, called him "everything you would want if you could create a profile of the ideal central defender", praising him as a "very smooth ball-playing defender" who possesses aerial prowess, skills from dead ball situations, and "strong leadership qualities", while commenting that since his
move to England, he is "more tactically aware now [...] his anticipation and timing has improved and he is a lot more of an all-rounder".
McGuinness believes Van Dijk's "biggest problem" is that he "can switch off when the game is comfortable".
In 2018, Steve Douglas of The Globe and Mail described Van Dijk with the following words: "Powerful in the air, measured with the ball at his feet, quick, and with superb positional sense, van Dijk [sic] has it all." Dario Pergolizzi also described Van Dijk as a good marker in 2019.
Education
Although Virgil van Dijk pursued football from a young age, he did not follow a traditional educational path after leaving high school. He focused on honing his skills within the football world. However, throughout his career, he has emphasized the importance of education and often advocates for young athletes to consider their academic pursuits alongside sports.
Van Dijk received further recognition following the turn of the year, when he was named in the 2019 UEFA Team of the Year. On 19 January 2020, Van Dijk scored his first North-West Derby goal against Manchester United in Liverpool's 2–0 win at Anfield in the Premier League.
Over the course of the 2019–20 domestic campaign, Van Dijk started and completed every minute for Liverpool. Liverpool won the Premier League title in the 2019–20 season, their first top-flight title in 30 years.
