2:37pm: DONE DEAL: Southampton have confirmed that they will sign Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk on a five-year deal.
Southampton FC @SouthamptonFC
CONFIRMED: #SaintsFC completes the #deadlineday signing of @VirgilvDijk from @celticfc on a five-year contract.
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Virgil van Dijk signs for SouthamptonVIRGIL van Dijk has joined Southampton on a five-year deal. The Dutch defender moves to the English Premier League club after two successful seasons at Celtic.
Signed from Dutch side, Groningen, in June 2013, the 24-year-old defender has gone on to make 115 appearances for the Hoops, scoring 15 goals. He won two league titles and one League Cup
A spokesperson for Celtic said: “Celtic did absolutely everything we could to keep Virgil at the club, including an offer of a new extended contract on a number of occasions. However, it became very clear that he had made his mind up on seeking a new challenge in the English Premier League.
“Virgil has served Celtic very well for the past two seasons, we thank him for his contribution to the club and we wish him all the best for the future at Southampton.”
Virgil van Dijk told the official Celtic website: “I would like to thank all the Celtic fans for the magnificent support they have given me during my time at the club.
“Celtic is a brilliant football club, it will always be in my heart and I will always be a Celtic supporter myself.
“I know Celtic did not want me to leave and wanted to extend my contract. The club did everything to keep me and I appreciate that but I felt the time was right for a new challenge in the English Premier League.
“I thank everyone at the club, the manager and all the staff and I wish Celtic and the fans the very best for the future.”
War ja von Anfang an klar, dass sein eigentliches Ziel die EPL war, und wir in erster Linie ein Sprungbrett, aber wenn beide Seiten so davon profitieren wie in diesem Fall ist das ja auch okay so. Viel Erfolg weiterhin!