Netherlands forward Coady Gakpo on Thursday, December 29, revealed the pivotal role that his Oranje captain and now Liverpool teammate, Virgil van Dijk played in his switch to Merseyside.
In an interview shortly after his medicals at the AXA Training Centre, Gakpo highlighted how van Dijk chanced in on his call with Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, and quickly helped him decide to settle on the Reds.
This was despite him being heavily linked with a move to Manchester United.
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The 23-year-old forward is awaiting to officially complete his transfer from PSV Eindhoven at the start of the January 2023 transfer window, subject to a work permit.
Before the interview at AXA Training Centre, Gakpo was welcomed by his new teammates including van Dijk and the coaching staff.
“We spoke a lot over the phone in the last few days. What he told me was that this is the right move for me to make and for me to develop and to become a better player, that the club is a really big and massive club but also like a real family.
“I think that's also very important for me because I'm a family guy. He said only good things. I'm also happy that he's here, so he can help me with some stuff. I'm really grateful to be here,” Gakpo stated.
He also added that Virgil being his national team captain was influential in his decision to join the Reds.
"But the club itself is also a really big club and this is a really nice achievement for me personally that there was interest from the club and, in the end, that I'm here," he indicated.
Gakpo is among the breakthrough stars of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar having played a vital role to help the Netherlands reach the quarterfinals stage.
In what was his first World Cup, the 23-year-old scored three goals becoming the first Dutch footballer to score in three consecutive FIFA World Cup matches.
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