Virgil van Dijk was out shopping in New York on Friday alongside his glamorous wife as the centre back soaked up the sunshine stateside.

The defender was joined by partner Rike Nooitgedagt as they were pictured strolling through the streets carrying bags from luxury Spanish clothing brand Balenciaga.

Van Dijk looked relaxed in a navy t-shirt and shorts as he spent some well-earned time off following a whirlwind six months at Liverpool.

Virgil van Dijk and his wife Rita Nooitgedagt walk together in the Soho district of New York

The 26-year-old became the world’s most expensive defender in the January transfer window when he completed a £75million move from Southampton to Liverpool.

Since his arrival at Anfield, Van Dijk helped Liverpool embark on a run to the Champions League final where they eventually fell to Real Madrid.

Van Dijk started the game at Kiev’s Olympic Stadium but could not inspire his team to victory as they lost 3-1 with goalkeeper Loris Karius badly at fault for two goals.

The Dutchman has been afforded an extended break given his country Holland’s failure to qualify for Russia, where many of his Liverpool team-mates are this month.

The pair clutched Balenciaga bags from the luxury Spanish clothing brand as they took a stroll

Holland missed out on qualification for Russia after finishing third in their group, losing out on a play-off spot to Sweden on goal difference.

Van Dijk’s club manager Jurgen Klopp has also been making the most of his time off and was pictured puffing away at a cigarette his wife Ulla Sandrock in Ibiza.

Klopp has been hard at work recruiting reinforcements for his team for next season with versatile Brazilian star Fabinho already signed from Monaco.

Van Dijk is enjoying time off with his country Holland having failed to make the World Cup

Van Dijk’s wife Nooitgedagt was enjoying the holiday in New York alongside her husband

Liverpool were also on the verge of landing creative midfielder Nabil Fekir from Lyon for £53m, only to see the deal fall through at the 11th hour.

Klopp’s side will commence their preparations for the new season before the World Cup has even finished with an away game against Chester on July 7.

Van Dijk is set to return to the United States for Liverpool’s involvement in pre-season tournament the International Champions Cup, where they’ll face Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United and Manchester City.

SOURCE: dailymail.co.uk