While many football fans perceive Virgil van Dijk as Dutch, few are aware of his Surinamese heritage through his mother, Ruby Van Dyke. Interestingly, the formidable defender is known simply as “Virgil” on his kit. According to van Dijk’s uncle Steven, this choice stems from a family rift with his father, whom Virgil accused of abandoning them in his childhood. When asked about this decision, Virgil responded tersely, stating it was a private matter and not for public discussion. He made it clear that his father is no longer a part of his life.
In this memoir, we also uncover a lesser-known aspect of the van Dijk family’s origins. Contrary to popular knowledge, the Liverpool legend has Chinese ancestry. Virgil van Dijk’s mother, Hellen Chin Fo Sieeuw, is of Dutch and Chinese descent. Her Chinese surname, ‘Chin Fo Sieeuw,’ originated from her maternal great-grandfather, Chin Fo Sieeuw (陈火秀), who immigrated from Guangdong, China, to Suriname around 1920, establishing their family’s Dutch connection.
Unveiling Virgil van Dijk’s History, Surinamese and Chinese Origins
This article shares the complete story of a football star widely known by the nickname “Vig.”
Our take on Virgil van Dijk’s biography and childhood provides a detailed account of significant events from his early years up to his rise to fame in soccer.
This profile of the Liverpool and Dutch legend covers his life before fame, family background, personal relationships, and numerous lesser-known facts about his life off the pitch.
Yes, everyone knows about his defensive abilities with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and the Dutch national team. However, not many fans have read Virgil van Dijk’s Biography, which is quite interesting. Now, without further ado, let’s Begin.
Virgil van Dijk Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:
To start his biography, Virgil van Dijk was born on the 8th day of July, year 1991, in Breda town, a municipality in the southern part of the Netherlands, making him a Cancer. His father, Ray Van Dyke, is Dutch, and his mother, Ruby Van Dyke, is Surinamese.
The Liverpool legend closely resembles his beautiful mother, unlike his father. Van Dijk often uses only his first name on his kit. According to his uncle Steven, this is due to a family feud with his father, who abandoned the family during Virgil’s childhood. Van Dijk has said,
“Nobody really knows the reason. What exactly happened is a private matter and I won’t tell the media the details. It’s nobody’s business. But my father is no longer in my life.”
Van Dijk’s Chinese heritage stems from his mother, Hellen Chin Fo Sieeuw, who is of mixed Chinese descent. The surname ‘Chin Fo Sieeuw’ originates from his maternal great-grandfather, Chin Fo Sieeuw (陈火秀), who migrated from Guangdong to Suriname around 1920. Handsome born Virgil failed after several attempts to kickstart his career at Willem II.
Meet Virgil van Dijk in his early career years.
He was deemed very slow and small. This was followed by him being hospitalized due to a dangerous abdominal abscess he had. The scars still feature to date prominently on his lower stomach.
Luckily for him, he recovered from his abdominal and growth complications. Virgil’s fitness and growth after recovery became so excessive. To his parents, it was a miracle. This saw a successful start to his career.
Virgil travelled 255 km from his hometown in Breda to Groningen which gave him his first call to football.
After turning professional, he moved to Celtic in 2013, where he won the Scottish Premiership.
He was among the players named in the PFA team of the year for the Scottish League in both seasons and also won the prestigious Scottish League Cup in the second season. In September 2015, he joined Southampton. The rest, as they say, is now history.
Virgil van Dijk Love Story with Rike Nooitgedagt:
In making long-term relationship choices, Virgil went for a lady who he believes is less likely to be unfaithful and also, someone who would stand by him in all situations.
Virgil and his girlfriend Rike are of the same age and country (The Netherlands). They’ve been dating since their childhood time. Here is Virgil and the love of his life, Rike.
Meet Virgil van Dijk and Rike Nooitgedagt.
Rike Nooitgedagt has been the one that has helped Virgil to settle into a new life right from his time in Willem II.
She has been credited for giving up her high-powered job to move with the love of her life to Scotland and Britain.
Rike once said in an interview:
“I worked as a sales manager, selling various fashion brands to stores in Holland. I loved my job but had to resign to follow my partner wherever his football career takes him. So far, we’ve been settling in well and having adventures with our lovely dog.”
Rike is now a full-time football woman, and Wag. More recently, Virgil publicly revealed his romantic side during their exotic holiday.
He posted a picture of him lifting his bikini-clad partner off her feet and wrote: “You are the love of my life!”.
In another public display of affection, Rike posted: “I love you not only for who you are but for who I am when I’m with you.”
Virgil van Dijk Biography – Picking National Team before a Child:
The couple had their first baby in 2014: a daughter who Virgil is very fond of as seen in the pic below.
The birth of their baby was quite an event. At the moment Rike was due in September 2014, Van Dijk, at last, got that invitation to the Netherlands national football team he had so desperately wished for.
Also, the defender still did not want to miss the birth of his daughter. So what did he do?…
Virgil arranged for his girlfriend to prematurely give birth to their daughter. This was criticized by fans, even the Netherlands coach, Guus Hiddink, who called him up.
Having made the unnecessary choice, nemesis caught up with him. Guus Hiddink did not select him for the so-called anticipated match.
Virgil van Dijk Biography – Cheating on his Girlfriend:
Media reports once revealed that Virgil van Dijk allegedly cheated on Rike while she was pregnant, allegedly offering Georgie Lyall money to sleep with her.
Georgie reportedly met with the Dutch star hours after he and his team had just celebrated Celtic’s league title triumph with his partner, Rike Nooitgedagt, at Parkhead.
The thought of meeting Georgie filled up his mind while he spent time with Rike during his trophy celebration hour.
A source revealed that the pair were in contact a day before the over-jubilant Celtic squad secured the silverware. Love rat Virgil and Georgie had the following cheat text before they met at an agreed hotel.
The following photo emerged which revealed before and after they were done, finishing themselves on the hotel bed.
Georgie Lyall decided to quit and change her lifestyle after accepting a university offer to study nursing.
In her words…: “I’ve been accepted for a nursing degree. Nursing is something I’ve always wanted to do.
I sort of fell into the adult industry when I was young. I was in it for almost five years — but I’ve got everything out of my system.”
She continued…“Now I’m mature enough to actually get the head down and give everything I’ve got to learning, getting a degree and doing something worthwhile.”
This was followed by her deleting her social media accounts. She insists she has no regrets about her raunchy past and also in meeting Virgil. The Dutchman, after being caught, said he had messaged her from an account he claimed belonged to a friend.
It was less than two weeks later, unsuspecting Rike told him she was expecting a baby. Recent reports say he is now a changed man.
Virgil van Dijk Bio – Once Played as a Striker:
Van Dijk’s technical quality was in evidence from his very first appearance as a professional footballer. He was once used as an emergency striker for his first club Groningen.
He led his team in a 4-2 victory over ADO Den Haag in April 2011.
He was soon moved back to his natural central defensive position and quickly marked himself out as one of the most promising young defenders in world football.
Virgil van Dijk Biography – His Toughest Opponent:
First, it is not Kylian Mbappe or Lionel Messi. Virgil van Dijk has admitted facing Anthony Martial is not like playing in the Scottish Premiership.
Martial once assisted Virgin van Dijk after the defender suffered from a cramp.
This happened after the Dutch defender was run ragged by the Frenchman as Manchester United won 3-2 at St Mary’s. Martial even took sympathy for Van Dijk and helped him with his cramp before the end of the match.
Virgil van Dijk Religion:
To start with, Virgil is a Christian by faith. He creates a special time of prayer for his family, girlfriend and people that I love. Although he hardly goes to church.
In his words…
“When I was younger, I went to church every Sunday, but as I got older, I stopped. However, I still pray sometimes, and I feel it has helped me through some tough times.”
Virgil van Dijk Biography Facts – Personal Life:
Dijk is cancer and has the following attributes to his personality;
Virgil van Dijk’s Strengths: Tenacious, highly imaginative, loyal, emotional, sympathetic, and persuasive.
Dijk’s Weakness: Moody, pessimistic, suspicious, manipulative, insecure.
What Virgil van Dijk Likes: Enjoying art, engaging in home-based hobbies, relaxing by the water, helping loved ones, and having a good meal with friends.
Virgil van Dijk Dislikes: Strangers, any criticism of his Mom and revealing details of his personal life.
Fact Check
Thanks for reading our Virgil van Dijk Childhood Story, plus untold biography facts. He is a Dutch Legend from whom Micky van de Ven, Sven Botman, Perr Schuurs, Matthijs de Ligt, etc, take their inspiration. Let’s not forget Jarell Quansah, the fast-rising Liverpool Defender.
We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn’t look right in Virgil van Dijk’s bio, please leave a comment or contact us!
