A PREMIER League star regarded as one of the best footballers in the world has been fined for speeding on the M6 in Cheshire.

Virgil van Dijk, who won the league title with Liverpool last season, was caught driving his black Mercedes-Benz G-Class above a temporary 50mph speed limit at junction 19 on the southbound carriageway, in Tabley.

The 29-year-old, who lives in Hale Barns, was fined £220 and ordered to pay £90 in costs and a victim surcharge of £34 following the incident on September 8, last year.

The case was heard at Warrington Magistrates’ Court last Friday, January 15, in a ‘single justice procedure’ – meaning he did not have to turn up at court.

Van Dijk joined Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018 for a reported transfer fee of £75 million.

The 6ft 4ins-tall defender has played for his home nation of The Netherlands 38 times and came second in the Ballon D’or award for 2019 – which honours the best men’s player in the world.

He is currently recovering from a long-term injury suffered in the Merseyside Derby in October, following a collision with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.