Liverpool star Georginio Wijnaldum has praised the club for completing the signing of defender Virgil van Dijk from Southampton.

The Reds confirmed this week that they had signed Van Dijk in a £75m world-record move, and the Dutchman will join Liverpool on January 1st.

And Wijnaldum, who is Van Dijk’s compatriot with the Netherlands, has hailed the work of his club in order to bring the defender to Anfield, saying he is a natural leader who will bring quality.

“I was really happy when I spoke with him on the phone, I told him I was happy he was going to come and join us,” Wijnaldum said.

“And now there will be a little bit of Dutch support in the changing room.

“I think outside of the pitch he is a normal person, he’s easy going and relaxed and I think everyone in the club will like him.

“On the pitch, from what I saw in the national team he is a leader, trying to help everyone, help with the defensive line, so I think he will help us in the team.”

Klopp has echoed the praise of Wijnaldum’s quality, saying his mentality and character are other big factors of why he was signed.

“Quality. That’s why we got him, that’s why we were interested in him. It’s quite difficult at the moment because technically he’s still a Southampton player.” Klopp told Sky Sports.

“We only talk about the player and what he can bring in; the quality, the mentality, the character. That is why we are really happy about it.”