The man who gave Virgil van Dijk his break as a junior player is shocked by his success with Liverpool.

Frank Brugel spotted and took Van Dijk to WDS'19 in Breda.

"You hardly see such talents as Van Dijk in the youth," said Brugel, now working for Willem II. "He also stood out head and shoulders physically at a young age. I tipped off Willem II, where he then went.

"Via FC Groningen he went to Celtic and Southampton. But that Van Dijk would ever go that far ... No, I never thought so. It is great for him and I go home happy for that. If Van Dijk wins (the Champions League), I will be extra proud of that."

A spokesman for WDS'19 also told De Telegraaf: "It has really been a madhouse since his record transfer (to Liverpool). Everyone wants to talk to trainers and players who have worked with Virgil. But those men are not really waiting for it themselves.

"Everyone is committed to him and of course hopes that Virgil wins, but they would prefer to wait for interviews now."