Most expensive defenders of all time: Virgil van Dijk smashes record – but who joins him?

Liverpool’s new £75million signing Virgil van Dijk is officially the most expensive defender in history after completing his move to Anfield.

Southampton held out for the mammoth fee after a long-running transfer saga that spanned the summer transfer window.

Van Dijk becomes the latest in a growing list of £30m+ defenders with some elite company and disappointing flops also in the mix.

The Premier League dominates the list – but who are the most expensive rearguard stars of all-time?

Take a look through the gallery to reveal the most expensive defenders in history.