Virgil van Dijk: Dutch defender joins Celtic

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Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk

Netherlands Under-21 centre-back Virgil van Dijk has signed a four-year contract with Celtic.

The 21-year-old has joined in a £2.6m deal from FC Groningen, for whom he made 37 appearances last season, with a 10% sell-on fee for the Dutch club.

"It feels very good and I'm very excited to be here," he said.

And Celtic manager Neil Lennon tweeted: "Delighted that we have acquired Virgil van Dijk... a highly talented young player."

Van Dijk moved to Groningen from Willem II in 2011 and had two years left on his contract at FC Groningen.

"Celtic is the biggest club in Scotland and they also play in the Champions League," he said.

"They're a fantastic club and when Celtic came in for me I was so excited. Everything here is good so I can't wait to get started.

"I hope to play many games for my country in the future but first of all I want to make things happen here.

"I'm a strong defender and I'm good in the air, but I also like to play football on the ground, and I hope that we'll do even better than we did last season.

"I think I can bring something extra to the team and we will see how it works out.

"I'm ready for everything. I love to play football but I do love getting into duels."

The Scottish champions have already recruited striker Amido Balde, 22, from Portuguese club Vitoria Guimaraes.

With central defenders Thomas Rogne moving on, Rami Gershon's loan expiring and Nigeria international Efe Ambrose missing the start of the season while he plays in the Confederations Cup, Celtic manager Neil Lennon has moved swiftly to ensure there is cover and competition for places for the forthcoming season.

Centre-half is Kelvin Wilson's natural position while Charlie Mulgrew can play there, at left-back or in a more advanced position.

The Champions League qualifying draw will be made on 24 June, with Celtic's first match scheduled for 19-20 July.

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309 comments

  • Comment posted by pbd1971, at 17:57 21 Jun 2013

    Celtic seem to be looking to buy young talent and getting a good 3-4 seasons out of them before possibly selling them on for a good profit. Its a win win situation for both the club and the player, the club gets good young talent and makes a decent buck and the player gets to showcase themselves on the European Stage.

  • Comment posted by Gdlavery, at 14:28 21 Jun 2013

    This young player comes highly rated and it's encouraging to see the continuation of Celtic's signing policy - scouting talented, young, lesser known players who they help develop and can sell for profit if need be.

    As Scottish football has been brought to its knees by some clubs' mismanagement and overspending, the country's top club can breathe a little life into the league with such prospects.

  • Comment posted by U14097593, at 16:37 21 Jun 2013

    Dutch posters . . . Who'd a thought !

    Looks a tidy player.

    ;) ER

  • Comment posted by U14332263, at 09:22 22 Jun 2013

    @205

    Victor Wanyama..unknown
    Gary Hooper...unknown
    Fraser Forster..unknown

    safe to say they are known now! Prosecution rests its case!

  • Comment posted by LiamD, at 23:13 21 Jun 2013

    EPL keep saying that if this guy gets an offer from an english then he will be off, or that the players Celtic aren't good enough for english clubs. I think you are completely overlooking the large amount of current Celtic players who turned down EPL teams in order to join Celtic. Celtic are building something special, a young team that is improving year after year.

  • Comment posted by U2536992, at 22:36 21 Jun 2013

    #109. oxfordfaninstoke
    "Facts are facts. Put any of last years top 10 from epl in the bottom div of Scot football and the would rise ......"
    It's about money numpty, and nothing to do with nationality. Celtic would be top 4 simply because of their worldwide fan base and therefore budget to buy top players. Having rich Russians, Arabs and Americans running EPL doesnt make for English superiority.

  • Comment posted by U15736505, at 18:36 23 Jun 2013

    @308 azerty ye he did, loved and hated by everybody what a character. one celtic missed but mainly chicos fault, all you had to do was kick him 1st minute and he would be after you asap. think hes at clyde now coaching

  • Comment posted by U15701040, at 15:46 23 Jun 2013

    Fortysat :
    Chic Charnley... was there not a story about him v two neds, armed with swords, at Partick Thistle?

  • Comment posted by U15701040, at 14:54 23 Jun 2013

    I remember his headed goal against Vojvodina, in the last minute of the game...

  • Comment posted by Lonegan, at 13:58 23 Jun 2013

    304. Agree about Billy McNeill - not very good with the ball at his feet but outstanding in the air. I'm sure A C Milan scored after about 15 minutes. There was no bombscare from him later that year against Benfica - he was immense - won every ball against 6' 4'' of Torres.

  • Comment posted by U15736505, at 13:54 23 Jun 2013

    another legend - chic charnley (1 friendly) benefited from a henrik howler unfortunately v celtic

  • Comment posted by U15701040, at 13:33 23 Jun 2013

    Celtic have always had "bombscare" players.
    I've been watching them for over forty years !
    Remember Henrik Larsson when he arrived (oh no, head in hands).

    You are not supposed to say this of a legend, but Billy MacNeil was one too. At least once in every match (we prayed it would be at the beginning of the match).
    Sometimes it wasn't (1969 against AC Milan)
    Oh no, head in hands (bis). Great fun !

  • Comment posted by Strange_UBoat, at 12:41 23 Jun 2013

    Got to be an improvement on the bombscare of a defender that is Ambrose

  • Comment posted by the govan lie machine, at 11:44 23 Jun 2013

    Why would anyone want to bail out clubs that haven't managed their finances prudently in the hunt for glory??

  • Comment posted by speakofthedevil, at 10:50 23 Jun 2013

    phil

    re 299 only time wil tell which way Lennon will go re cover at LB with Charlie at CB or cover at CB with Charlie at LB but one way or the other I reckon your right, last 16 here we come again!

    re 300 I can't pretend I know anything visa vie finances but if £12 mill is correct then why not, what's good for the game should come first, we are or should, be all in it together...

  • Comment posted by Socialism is the only answer, at 03:15 23 Jun 2013

    If reports are accurate.

    We now have more money than we know what to do with. Can anyone in Scottish football suggest what we can do with a spare £12 million? I for one suggest that £1 million goes to The Foundation Of Hearts, as we are all in this together and without teams to play where would Celtic be. Scottish football, we need to stick together.

  • Comment posted by Socialism is the only answer, at 02:38 23 Jun 2013

    IMO Charlie's best position is CH, so we need a LB to backup Izzy. With CM,KW,EA and VVD all at CH and the rest of the positions covered we are all set for at least the last 16 and hopefully more.

  • Comment posted by U15701040, at 23:24 22 Jun 2013

    294 We don't always agree but...
    I hope he is the one to keep us solid at the back. I really do.
    Later, if successful... Arsenal, why not? Everyone is a selling club nowadays.
    Arsenal are great to watch but they don't really do... solid at the back
    ;-)

  • Comment posted by U15770593, at 20:58 22 Jun 2013

    Another gd signing for the hoops gee it a couple year punt him to the over spenders in the premier league well see if man city kin get more points the celtic or make is far is wee did eaqualed manu aswell and the rest aye the premeir league in the champions league this year so hail hail

  • Comment posted by Nio1, at 20:36 22 Jun 2013

    Still...turning up to any wedding, funeral, reception in a PAFC shirt must be a plus.....you can alternate it by buying the away strip...never look the same at two weddings....

    Am I on to some commission ....!

    Thought they lost to Watford in 84......didn't think wee mo was playing ..defo Barnes was

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