Liverpool have announced that Virgil van Dijk has extended his contract with the club. The defender, who says it is “amazing” to confirm his future, was set to become a free agent at the end of the season but has now put pen to paper on a new two-year deal with the Reds to end the speculation.

Van Dijk has once again been a stalwart this season, under a new manager Arne Slot. He has made 44 appearances in all competitions so far and scored four goals – with his most recent coming in the Reds’ 2-1 win against West Ham last weekend. The Netherlands international has been a key influence in the heart of the Liverpool backline throughout the campaign, despite injuries threatening to cause Slot issues defensively.

Van Dijk has guided Liverpool through those tricky periods and put the club on course to win his second Premier League title at the club. He admitted that there had been “progress” towards a new contract earlier this month and has now committed to the Merseyside outfit.

Several players have spoken openly about how they are now eyeing a sustained period of domination, both in the league and on the European stage, and Van Dijk looks set to be a key part of that. He said after signing: “It was always Liverpool. That was the case. It was always in my head, it was always the plan and it was always Liverpool.

“There wasn’t any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my family. I’m one of Liverpool. Someone called me the other day an adopted Scouser – I’m really proud to hear these things, it gives me a great feeling.

“I’m very happy, very proud. There are so many emotions obviously that go through my head right now speaking about it. It’s a proud feeling, it’s a feeling of joy. It’s just incredible. The journey I’ve had so far in my career, to be able to extend it with another two years at this club is amazing and I’m so happy.”

The defender was in the final few months of his contract on Merseyside prior to today’s announcement, but he has opted to snub offers from elsewhere – notably the Saudi Pro League – to follow in the footsteps of Mohamed Salah and commit his future to Liverpool’s project.

Van Dijk continued: “It always felt right. I said it from the first day on that it felt right and I think it showed in the years we have spent together up until now. And obviously more years to come. It is the place for me to be, to spend my best years, be successful with the club as we have been over the years and hopefully the future as well.

“And I love the city, I love the club, I love the fans. I love my team-mates. I love everything that embodies Liverpool, and on to many more.

“It is an emotional day, not only for myself but for my family as well. My kids are also almost like Scousers, they don’t know anything else than Liverpool, especially my two youngest.

“You live your life away from obviously where I’m from in Holland and you are living a very good life, a blessed life, but we live also that good life because of the people of Liverpool, the club, the fans. So it’s a togetherness that I really, really appreciate.

“It helps me and also is what embodies me as well, that I really love how the club is in general, what it stands for and these principles and values are really important to me and my family as well.”