Virgil van Dijk was spotted shopping in New York on Friday with his glamorous wife, soaking up the sunshine in the city.
The defender was accompanied by his partner, Rike Nooitgedagt, as they strolled through the streets carrying bags from the luxury Spanish brand Balenciaga. Van Dijk appeared relaxed in a navy t-shirt and shorts, enjoying some well-deserved time off after a whirlwind six months at Liverpool.
The couple walked together in the Soho district, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. Van Dijk, who became the world’s most expensive defender with his £75 million move from Southampton to Liverpool in January, has made a significant impact since joining the club. He played a crucial role in helping Liverpool reach the Champions League final, although they ultimately lost to Real Madrid.
During the final at Kiev’s Olympic Stadium, Van Dijk started the match but was unable to lead his team to victory as they fell 3-1, with goalkeeper Loris Karius making critical errors.
Given the Netherlands’ failure to qualify for the World Cup in Russia, Van Dijk has enjoyed an extended break while many of his Liverpool teammates participate in the tournament. The Dutch team missed out on qualification after finishing third in their group, narrowly losing a playoff spot to Sweden.
Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has also been making the most of his time off, recently seen enjoying a holiday in Ibiza with his wife, Ulla Sandrock. Klopp has been busy strengthening the squad for the upcoming season, with Brazilian star Fabinho already signed from Monaco.
Van Dijk’s wife, Nooitgedagt, was relishing their holiday in New York, enjoying the sights alongside her husband. Liverpool was close to landing creative midfielder Nabil Fekir from Lyon for £53 million, but the deal fell through at the last minute.
As preparations for the new season begin, Liverpool will kick off with an away game against Chester on July 7, even before the World Cup concludes. Van Dijk is set to return to the U.S. for Liverpool’s participation in the pre-season International Champions Cup, where they will face Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, and Manchester City.