Liverpool Captain Celebrated as Former Side Unveils Van Dijk Stand | OneFootball

Van Dijk Honoured with Stand at Willem II Academy

Virgil van Dijk’s remarkable journey from academy hopeful to Liverpool captain has been celebrated in a special way by Willem II. The Dutch club have renamed the main stand at their youth stadium the Virgil van Dijk Tribune, paying tribute to a player who spent 11 years in their academy before embarking on his professional career.

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Lasting Legacy in Tilburg

The renaming coincides with the launch of the newly rebranded Virgil’s Legacy Trophy, an international U13 tournament hosted by Willem II. The event will see teams from all of van Dijk’s former clubs, Willem II, Groningen, Celtic, Southampton and Liverpool, compete alongside 11 other sides from across Europe.

“Virgil means so much to Willem II and to our youth academy,” general manager Merijn Goris said. “We wanted to give him something lasting. This tribute is not only a thank you for bringing back the international youth tournament, but also an inspiration to our youth players. 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.”

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From Tilburg to Anfield

Van Dijk’s path from Tilburg to Merseyside has been one of resilience and steady progress. After leaving Willem II for Groningen in 2010, he soon earned a move to Celtic, then Southampton, before becoming the world’s most expensive defender in 2018 with a £75 million transfer to Liverpool.

Personal Pride

Now wearing the armband at Anfield, van Dijk spoke of his pride: “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.”

Liverpool will face Bayer Leverkusen, Paris Saint-Germain and Willem II in Group B of the Virgil’s Legacy Trophy this weekend, with the competition providing another link between the Dutch club and their most famous graduate.