Virgil van Dijk signs new six-year Southampton deal

Dutch centre-back Virgil van Dijk has signed a new six-year contract at Southampton.

The 24-year-old joined the Saints from Celtic in last summer's transfer window and his form throughout the 2015-16 campaign has led to his English club opening talks over a fresh deal.

The defender has now put pen to paper on a contract that will run until the summer of 2022.

"I'm so pleased, I'm so happy. Me and my family have enjoyed it a lot this year. It's been amazing. It's only positive," Van Dijk told Southampton's official website.

"The club is growing and I definitely want to grow with them, that's how I feel. Hopefully we can make it happen. That's the plan, to get a lot of achievements going."

Van Dijk could make his 37th Southampton appearance of the season in Sunday's Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur.