SAINTS academy have been invited to take part in former defender Virgil van Dijk's own youth football tournament later this year.

The first ‘Virgil’s Legacy Trophy’ - an under-13s tournament - is set to take place at Tilburg, home of Willem II, in September 2025.

Netherlands international and Liverpool captain van Dijk launched the tournament earlier this month and has confirmed 13 competing clubs.

Saints, Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal will take part, while Scottish giants Celtic compete the representatives from the United Kingdom.

Willem II, FC Groningen, Ajax, Inter Milan, PSV, Juventus, PSG and Feyenoord are also confirmed for the cup, which pays homage to van Dijk's career.

He spent over a decade at Willem II as a schoolboy, before breaking through into the men's game at Groningen, Celtic, Saints and finally Liverpool.

At Saints, van Dijk made 80 appearances and became one of the best defenders in the world before making a £75million transfer in January 2018.

"I’m proud to announce that along with my first club Willem II, we’re bringing back the international youth tournament this September," said van Dijk. 

"The world’s biggest clubs will arrive in Tilburg and play in the first ‘Virgil’s Legacy Trophy’ - an under-13s tournament.

"I feel strongly about inspiring others and want to give the next generation a proper platform to perform. The best pitches, facilities and officials."

The announcement follows the revelation that Saints will take part in the first Wings Cup, hosted by RB Leipzig's academy, in April this year.

Under-18 players from Saints, PSV, RB Leipzig, Red Bull Bragantino, New York Red Bulls and FC Red Bull Salzburg will clash from April 22-24.