Latest Liverpool news as Virgil van Dijk's former club name a stand after the defender
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool warms up
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
A stand has been named after Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk at the academy of his boyhood club, Willem II Tilburg. The 33-year-old began his youth career with the Netherlands side in 1999 until moving on 11 years later.
Van Dijk has since gone on to win major titles with Celtic and of course Liverpool, of whom he was named captain in 2023. The defender has also worn the armband for his country the year before, therefore as an inspiration to the next generation of Dutch stars he has had this new honour bestowed by Willem II.
In their statement, the club confirmed the main stand of their academy's Sportpark Prinsenhoeve will now bear the name 'Virgil van Dijk Tribune'.
"The naming of the stand is a special gift from the club to Van Dijk: a token of appreciation for the impressive career of the former Willem II youth player, who grew into one of the best defenders in the world."
The Liverpool star was in attendance for the stand's renaming. He responded: "It makes me incredibly proud that the stand at the youth academy is named after me. Willem II played an important role in my life and in my development as a young player.
"That this is now being recognised in this way means a great deal to me and my family. It's a very special tribute, and I appreciate the warmth and connection I still feel with the club."
Willem II's general manager, Merijn Goris, added: "Virgil means so much to Willem II and to our youth academy. We wanted to give him something lasting.
"Virgil is the perfect example of what hard work and perseverance can lead to. With this tribute, we show our youth players that dreams are achievable."
The announcement of the stand being named after Van Dijk comes days before the first edition of the defender's new youth competition takes place at Sportpark Prinsenhoeve. The Virgil's Legacy Trophy, which begins on Friday, is set to see 16 youth teams across the globe descend on Tilburg.
Liverpool's Under-13s are one of the teams competing, and have been placed in a group alongside Bayer Leverkusen, Paris Saint-Germain, and Willem II.
Van Dijk said: "A tremendous amount of work has gone into making this tournament a success. On Friday, 300 youth players from all over the world will arrive in Tilburg. It will be a fantastic experience for the players, staff, and families."
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