Liverpool will sign Virgil van Dijk when the transfer window re-opens in January after agreeing a world-record deal to sign the Southampton defender.

The Dutch centre-back will move to Anfield in a transfer that is understood to be worth £75m, eclipsing the previous world-record fee for a defensive player set when Manchester City bought Kyle Walker for £53m.

Liverpool announced on Wednesday night: “Liverpool Football Club can confirm they have reached an agreement with Southampton for the transfer of Virgil van Dijk.

“The Reds have agreed a deal with the south coast club, and the player himself, that will see the 26-year-old defender move to Anfield when the transfer window re-opens on January 1, 2018.”

Van Dijk, who will be assigned the squad number four, commented that he was “delighted and honoured” to join the Merseyside club, who currently sit fourth in the Premier League table.

Writing on his Instagram page, Van Dijk said: “Today is a proud day for me and my family as I join one of the biggest clubs in world football.

“I cannot wait to pull on the famous red shirt for the first time in front of the Kop and will give everything I have to try and help this great club achieve something special in the years to come.”

Personal terms of around £180,000-a-week have been agreed between Van Dijk and the club. Both Manchester City and Chelsea were also interested and had made inquiries with Southampton at different stages over the past six months, but the defender has long had his heart set on a move to Anfield.

The agreement completes months of protracted negotiations between the two clubs, with Van Dijk first handing in a transfer request in August. “I have been left frustrated by the club's position that I am not for sale and am disappointed that enquiries from multiple top clubs have been consistently rebuffed,” he complained at the time.

However a move fell through when Liverpool apologised for making an alleged illegal approach for the 26-year-old, after Southampton made an official complaint to the Premier League.

Van Dijk remained on the south coast but missed the start of the season amid concerns over his focus and mentality, before being slowly reintegrated back into the first-team under new manager Mauricio Pellegrino.

However he has made just 12 appearances in all competitions this season and was left out of recent games against Chelsea, Huddersfield Town and Tottenham Hotspur.

Van Dijk is now the most expensive defender in world football and the second most expensive transfer in Premier League history.

His fee of £75m is level with Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku and behind only the club’s £90m purchase of Paul Pogba, in August 2016.

The statements in full

Liverpool and Southampton's respective statements:

Liverpool:

Liverpool Football Club can confirm they have reached an agreement with Southampton for the transfer of Virgil van Dijk.

The Reds have agreed a deal with the south coast club, and the player himself, that will see the 26-year-old defender move to Anfield when the transfer window re-opens on January 1, 2018.

The Netherlands international will be assigned squad number four, upon his arrival at Liverpool.

Southampton:

Southampton Football Club can confirm it has reached an agreement with Liverpool over the transfer of Virgil van Dijk.

Southampton have agreed a fee that will set a new world-record for a defender.

The club wishes Virgil well in his future when the deal is completed on January 1st 2018.