Liverpool's rock at the back, Virgil van Dijk, has committed his future to the club by signing a new two-year deal.
The club has officially announced that their Dutch defensive stalwart has settled months of speculation by putting pen to paper, helping to quash the growing uncertainty surrounding the skipper's future.
At 33, Van Dijk has been pivotal in Liverpool's push towards what could be their 20th league title; they're just six points shy of clinching the Premier League crown.
But there was concern as the months went on that Van Dijk may have moved on this summer. The defender was open about discussions throughout the season as talks went on in the background.
But now he joins Mo Salah in committing the next two years of his career to Liverpool. While the Reds and boss Arne Slot get one of the best defenders in the world for another two seasons at least.
"I'm very happy, very proud," Van Dijk said. "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."
"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."
It became clear this month that Van Dijk would renew his deal as he admitted there had been "progress" after their defeat by Fulham two weeks ago. That was the first time he had been positive about the discussions.
Van Dijk will turn 34 this summer but has shown no signs of ageing this season with Liverpool keeping 20 clean sheets in the games he has played in.
Sporting director Richard Hughes has been leading discussions throughout with Van Dijk and his agent, Neil Fewings, and there has been confidence on both sides that a deal would get done.
It is understood that Van Dijk's deal is on similar terms to his previous contract, which is around £350,000-a-week or just less than £40m over the course of the two years. It's a significant investment by the club but also a belief that given the data and his performances, they believe he will stay at the top of his game for more years to come.
Liverpool believe that they can continue to give players like Van Dijk, Salah and others the platform to continue to achieve their ambitions which is winning major trophies. They also believe that by tying down club captain Van Dijk and Salah that they are showing the club's ambition to remain at the very top of the game.
Liverpool signed Van Dijk from Southampton in 2018 for a world-record £75m fee for a defender. He has won one Premier League title, a Champions League, two Carabao Cups and an FA Cup. With another league title to come, of course.
The Dutchman said earlier this week: "I love the club, that's pretty obvious. I think you can see that in the way I speak about the club, the way I work for the club in terms of what I do on the pitch on and off the pitch, and that will always be the same."
"I think it's the whole combination. I joined the club in 2017 for many reasons. Reasons like how much it means to all the Scousers, to all the fans around the whole world to be connected to Liverpool."
"Being successful with Liverpool, the culture of the club, everything that embodies Liverpool ... that is just part of me. That's why I'm always proud when I wear that shirt, go out there and try to be the best version of myself in terms of the football player that I am."
Van Dijk was also happy earlier this week that Salah has signed his deal. "I'm obviously very happy for the club, and all of us connected to the club," he said. "You can't put it in words how consistent he is."
"Obviously (in terms of) his numbers, but the work rate he's put in over those last eight years at the club is incredible and he can still show it for another few years."
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