Virgil van Dijk has revealed a visit to St James' Park to watch Newcastle United convinced the future Liverpool star his future lie in the Premier League. The Champions League winner admits he was wowed by the passion of the Toon Army and the 'passion' on display on the pitch.
The Netherlands international spent time at the beginning of his career with Willem II and Groningen, before making the move to Celtic. Van Dijk spent two years in the Scottish capital before earning his dream transfer to England with Southampton in 2015.
Liverpool would go on to sign the defender in January 2018 in a world-record £75 million deal, and the 31-year-old is considered to be one of the world's best centre-backs. Speaking with Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, van Dijk discussed how a visit to Tyneside to watch the Magpies sow the seeds for his Premier League move seven years later.
READ MORE: Newcastle deliver stunning £81m riposte to transfer spend critics as Jurgen Klopp admits fear
He told the Overlap: "I was 16 and we had a trip with our team to Newcastle. We took the boat, went to Newcastle, and it was an eye-opener for us because they were so direct and fighting and very aggressive.
"We were like what's going on? We watched a first-team game, Newcastle playing at St James' Park. I remember we were sitting next to the away end, so all of the way up.
"I was thinking wow, what was going on? Big stadium, the passion of the fans and all of this stuff. I thought I have to be here, to play in the Premier League."
You can watch the full Overlap interview here
READ NEXT
- Jurgen Klopp admits Champions League fear as Newcastle open up eight-point lead over Liverpool
- Rafa Benitez makes Liverpool prediction as Jurgen Klopp's side trail Newcastle United
- Newcastle reaping rewards of Eddie Howe prediction which could have gone 'one of two ways'
- 'Living his dreams': Bruno Guimaraes' selfless gesture for Miguel Almiron after Newcastle nominations
- Newcastle find wonderkid who could be 'as good as anyone in world' after massive clubs' interest
