Liverpool’s captain and the foremost defender in Dutch football, Virgil van Dijk, was recently honored by his old club Willem II.

Virgil van Dijk was recently recognized with a special tribute from his former club Willem II, as the main stand at the Sportpark Prinsenhoeve youth training center in Tilburg was named after him, “Virgil van Dijk Tribune” (The Virgil van Dijk Stand). This is a significant acknowledgment of Van Dijk’s outstanding contributions and achievements throughout his elite playing career.

Before becoming one of the world’s best defenders, Van Dijk developed through the youth academy of Willem II, where he honed his skills and built a professional foundation. After his time at Willem II, he moved to Groningen, then played for Celtic and Southampton before joining Liverpool in January 2018. Since then, the 1991-born player has risen to become the leading defender in contemporary world football.

At the honoring ceremony, a representative from Willem II stated: “This is a special gift for Van Dijk, a tribute to the career of the former Willem II youth player who has risen to become one of the best defenders globally.

At the same time, this event symbolizes looking toward the future, as Van Dijk will bring the international youth tournament Virgil’s Legacy Trophy back to Tilburg this year. Through this, his name is not only etched in the proud history of Willem II but also linked to the development of youth football in this city.”

Van Dijk also expressed his deep emotion upon receiving this honor: “This truly makes me proud. Willem II played a crucial role in my life and development as a young player. Being recognized in this way means a lot to me and my family. I always cherish the connection and warm affection from the club.”

Since joining Liverpool, Van Dijk has won 8 major trophies, scored 28 goals in 323 appearances, and notably became the first Dutch player in history to captain a club to an English Premier League title. This event will continue to inspire future generations of young players, not only at Willem II but worldwide.