Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has been crowned the Premier League Defender of the Season in the 2024-25 Sports Mole Readers' Awards.
The Dutchman hoisted a Premier League trophy aloft as captain for the first time in the just-finished campaign, where he remained an imposing figure at the heart of Arne Slot's defence.
Van Dijk managed three goals in 37 matches for the champions, while continuing to excel in a defensive sense and earning himself a lucrative new two-year contract until the summer of 2027.
The former Celtic and Southampton man has also been voted by our readers as the Premier League's best defender in 2024-25, winning 37.3% of the vote to beat Arsenal's William Saliba to the prize.
The France international was a not-so-distant second, claiming 23.6% of the share, while Bournemouth's Real Madrid-bound defender Dean Huijsen took third place with 15% of the nominations.
Antonee Robinson, Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic and Ibrahima Konate were also shortlisted, but Van Dijk reigned supreme, as he continues to do in the heart of the Liverpool backline.
PREMIER LEAGUE DEFENDER OF THE SEASON RESULTS
1. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) - 37.3%
2. William Saliba (Arsenal) - 23.6%
3. Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth) - 15%
4. Nikola Milenkovic (Nottingham Forest) - 6.8%
5. Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool) - 6.3%
6. Murillo (Nottingham Forest) - 6%
7. Antonee Robinson (Fulham) - 5%
Ben Knapton
