‘My life was at risk’ – How PFA Player of the Year Virgil van Dijk nearly DIED in 2012 after suffering with appendicitis, peritonitis and a kidney infection

‘My life was at risk’ – How PFA Player of the Year Virgil van Dijk nearly DIED in 2012 after suffering with appendicitis, peritonitis and a kidney infection
PFA Player of the Year Virgil van Dijk may well be the best defender in the world at this moment in time, but is lucky to be alive.The Liverpool centre-half was crowned as the best player in the Premier League by his colleagues on Sunday evening after a stellar season.4

Virgil van Dijk is lucky to be alive after required life-saving surgery in 2012

Physically imposing, calm on the ball and a natural leader of men, Van Dijk is a worthy winner of the prestigious award.However, it could have all been so different. While at Groningen in the Netherlands, the 27-year-old required life-saving surgery after a ruptured appendix caused appendicitis, peritonitis and a kidney infection.His reserve team coach and mentor Dick Lukkien reveals just how close Van Dijk came to death.Virgil was ill, but we didnt know the extent at first we thought he had the flu, Lukkien told FourFourTwo. He was at home for a few days and in lots of pain.4

Van Dijk impressed his coaches at Groningen with his physical abilities and technical skills

“He went to the local hospital but they couldnt find anything, so sent him back home again. The pain got worse and when his mum travelled to see him, she realised how bad the situation was.“She took him to another hospital, which turned out to be crucial.After making his first team debut in May 2011, it became clear just how special Van Dijk was. During a Europa League qualifying game just a month later, the Dutchman scored twice while playing as an auxiliary forward.Although he had been ambitiously targeting a move to La Liga, Van Dijk was now battling appendicitis, peritonitis and a kidney infection. Surgeons performed a life-saving operation, but he was still in serious danger.4

The 27-year-old always wanted a move to La Liga

I still remember lying in that bed, he recalled a few months later. The only thing I could see were tubes dangling out from me.“My body was broken and I couldnt do anything. At such a moment, the worst scenarios are whizzing around your head. For the first time in my life, football was very much a side issue. My life was at risk.“My mum and I prayed to God and discussed possible scenarios. At some point I had to sign some papers. It was a kind of testament. If I died, a part of my money would go to my mum.“Of course, nobody wanted to talk about it, but we had to do that. It could have been over.4

Seven years on, Van Dijk is now Netherlands captain and considered one of the best in the world

Thankfully, the youngster pulled through. But it came at a physical price as the surgery drained his 6ft 4ins frame.I was shocked, says Lukkien. When he returned to the club he had changed from a big man into a shrivelled person. Luckily he managed to recover quite quickly.His recovery has seen him earn moves to Celtic, Southampton and then finally to Anfield. At 75million, critics baulked at the price Jurgen Klopp paid.But Van Djk has been proving his critics wrong all his life.

---

Solskjaer tells United players they have fresh start as he gives first interview Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has promised World Cup winner Paul Pogba and the rest of his team-mates they will get a chance to prove their worth to Manchester United once again as he starts afresh at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer tells United players they have fresh start as he

---

Leeds United transfer latest: Kemar Roofe 'going nowhere

---

Welcome to our transfer news blog for Monday, October 8. We may be outside of the summer transfer window, but that does not stop the rumour and speculation in the Premier League. There are under three months before the January transfer window opens again in earnest and teams are already being linked with new signings.
NewsNow: Aaron Ramsey news | Breaking News & Search 24/7

---

Callum Hudson-Odoi has revealed even Eden Hazard's team-mates were stunned by the Belgian's wonder goal against West Ham. The 18-year-old admitted he watched on in awe as Hazard slalomed past five
Chelsea youngster hailed as the next 'big player' - and it's

---

Mauricio Pochettino could end up becoming the 'Arsene Wenger of Spurs' if he chooses to remain at club, says Emmanuel Petit The former Gunners midfielder was speaking ahead of the north London
Is Mauricio Pochettino the 'Arsene Wenger of Tottenham

---

TRANSFER NEWS RECAP: Latest from day 11 of the transfer window for Premier League and European clubs. There are less than three weeks to go before the January transfer window shuts
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: Man Utd set huge fee for Coutinho as

---

Steven Defour has received a 'get well soon' letter from Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, but the Belgium starlet is not the first precocious talent to feel the Scot's generosity.

---

Arsenal 'need massive surgery' to fix their defence, says

---

Tottenham vs Liverpool: Spurs 'not scared' of Reds, says Moussa Sissoko ahead of Champions League final fpnews May 28, 2019 0 Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish admits he thought he was going to complete a transfer to Tottenham Hotspur last summer
Tottenham vs Liverpool: Spurs 'not scared' of Reds, says

---

Mauricio Pochettino has named his Tottenham Hotspur team to face Ajax in the Champions League semi-final second leg. The Spurs boss has a few more options for the second leg despite losing one of his defenders. Erik Lamela and Jan Vertonghen are both available for selection and Vertonghen returns to the team while Lamela is on the bench. Son
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Ajax: Champions league live stream

---

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has tipped his former club's bitter rivals Liverpool to be in with a chance of winning the Champions League this season.. Jurgen Klopp's men booked their
Why Liverpool have advantage over Bayern Munich for second

---

Find Arsenal vs Everton result on Yahoo Sports. Aubameyang's lead-doubling finish three minutes later should have been disallowed due to offside, however, the linesman did not raise his flag
2010-11 Stoke City F.C. season - Wikipedia

---

Team News & Tactics Tottenham Hotspur. the Chelsea boss could be without as many as seven first-team players, although most of them are touch and go. Spurs haven't won three in a row
Tottenham 4-0 Huddersfield: Spurs go third with win over

---