That’s the verdict of the Dutchman’s old Celtic boss Ronny Deila, who says big clubs will be kicking themselves for not signing him from the Hoops.

Liverpool announced on Wednesday that a mega-money £75m deal had been agreed that would finally see Van Dijk link up with the Reds.

That fee makes him the world’s most expensive defender ever, outstripping the figure Manchester City paid for Benjamin Mendy by £23m.

Deila believes Van Dijk will prove to be a stellar investment with the best years of his career ahead of him.

"It’s a bargain, even at that price," claimed Deila.

"If you look at the money being spent today, there’s no doubt the price tag is fair.

"Big clubs must regret they didn’t sign him when he was at Celtic. Now he has cost over five times what he did when he left Celtic.

"The problem was they didn’t trust the level in Scotland. But he was absolutely superb, with amazing qualities.

"Not only is he really good, he is really young and he has his best years ahead. That means he will be valuable for years to come.

"He can become the world’s best defender.

"He has a huge physique, he’s super fast and he is good with the ball at his feet, so he fits into Liverpool’s style of play. He is also powerful in the air.

"It may have been good to play for Southampton where the pressure is not so big, but now he has to perform every week and he may have to take a step up mentally.

"That’s the only uncertainty with him, whether he is able to step up and become a player that’s solid week in and week out."

Van Dijk will officially join Liverpool when the transfer window opens next Monday.