Van Dijk Jersey Number Old: A Look at the Defender’s Early Shirt Numbers

Virgil van Dijk is widely recognised for his commanding presence at the heart of Liverpool’s defence, and fans instantly associate him with the iconic number 4. Yet before he became a Liverpool legend, the Dutch centre‑back wore several different numbers across his career in the Netherlands, Scotland and England. This article traces the evolution of Van Dijk’s jersey numbers, focusing on the “old” numbers that marked his early professional years.

Why the Number 4 Became Van Dijk’s Signature

When Van Dijk arrived at Liverpool in January 2018, manager Jürgen Klopp assigned him the number 4 shirt. The choice reflected his role as a traditional centre‑back and paid homage to Liverpool greats such as Jamie Carragher, who also wore the number. Since then, the number has become synonymous with Van Dijk’s defensive leadership, aerial prowess, and calm distribution.

Early Career Numbers – The “Old” Jerseys

Before the famous Liverpool shirt, Van Dijk’s kit numbers were less iconic but still tell a story of his development. Below is a chronological list of the clubs he represented and the numbers he wore at each stop.

These numbers highlight a pattern: once Van Dijk settled into a defensive role, the number 4 became his preferred identifier, while his earliest professional stint at Groningen saw him wearing number 5.

Groningen: The First Professional Badge

Van Dijk broke into senior football with FC Groningen in the Eredivisie. Wearing the number 5, he played as a right‑back before transitioning to centre‑back. The shirt reflected his initial position on the field, and the experience helped him develop the versatility that later defined his style.

Celtic: The First Appearance of Number 4

In 2011, Van Dijk moved to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership. The club assigned him the number 4, a number traditionally