London, May 8 (IANS): English football club Southampton has announced that Dutch international defender Virgil van Dijk has renewed his contract with the team for the next six seasons.

Van Dijk, who will continue at Southampton until 2022, joined the English club last summer from Scotland's Celtic Glasgow for about 16.5 million euros ($18.8 million), reports Efe.

"I'm so pleased, I'm so happy," the Dutch international said on Saturday, according to the club's official website.

"The club is growing and I definitely want to grow with them, that's how I feel," Van Dijk added.

Les Reed, Southampton's executive director of football, said the Dutch defender, "has quickly established himself as one of the top centre-backs in the Premier League" in his first year with the English club.

"At 24, and with significant European experience already under his belt, we believe he can be a key pillar in our squad for years to come, and we are delighted to have agreed this new deal with him," Reed added.

The Dutch international played 36 games this season with Southampton in all competitions.