Virgil van Dijk Honoured by Willem II Academy

Liverpool and Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk is one of the best defender on this planet; one of the best centre half of his era. It’s a standing that displays again on the assorted golf equipment he’s performed at over time on his method to reaching that time, and maybe none extra so than boyhood membership Willem II.

In honour of that, then, it’s becoming this week that Willem II introduced that they might rename the primary stand at their youth stadium in honour of the famous person who received began as an eight-year-old of their academy and often performed on the floor as he grew up on the Tilburg-based Dutch membership.

“It’s a particular reward from the membership to Van Dijk,” the membership stated of the honour. “An indication of appreciation for the profession of the previous Willem II youth participant. With this, his identify will not be solely immortalised within the wealthy historical past of Willem II, but additionally emphatically linked to the event of youth soccer within the metropolis.”

Maybe surprisingly, Van Dijk isn’t Liverpool’s first star centre half with Willem II connections, as Sami Hyypiä spent 4 seasons there earlier than becoming a member of the Reds in 1999 and spending the following ten seasons at Anfield. Extra not too long ago, Kostas Tsimikas additionally performed for Willem earlier than becoming a member of Liverpool.

In the meantime, famous person summer time signing Alexander Isak will turn out to be the fourth Liverpool participant with Willem II roots, with the Swedish striker taking part in 18 video games for them (and scoring 14 objectives) on mortgage within the 2018-19 season earlier than breaking by way of at La Liga’s Actual Sociedad the next season.

“It makes me very proud,” Van Dijk stated of the honour. “Willem II has performed an essential position in my life and in my improvement as a participant. That that is now recognised on this approach means rather a lot to me and my household. It’s a very particular tribute and I respect the connection I nonetheless really feel with the membership.”