Liverpool, England – Jordan Henderson, the former Liverpool midfielder, is on the verge of making a permanent move to Ajax after reaching a mutual agreement with Saudi Pro League club Al Ettifaq to terminate his contract. Sources familiar with the situation have confirmed that the deal is in the final stages of completion and no transfer fee will be involved.
Henderson, who is an England international, is currently in Abu Dhabi, where he has been participating in Al Ettifaq’s winter training camp. He will soon be returning to the UK to finalize the paperwork and details of his switch to Ajax.
The 33-year-old midfielder left Liverpool last summer after spending 12 years at the club, and joined Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia. His move to the Middle East attracted criticism, but Henderson defended his decision, stating that he wanted to “achieve something special and build a club and build the league.” During his time in the Saudi Pro League, Henderson made 17 appearances and contributed four assists to the team managed by his former Liverpool teammate, Steven Gerrard.
Ajax, on the other hand, has been going through a challenging period. After finishing third in the Eredivisie last season, the Dutch club got off to a slow start this year, leading to the sacking of their head coach, Maurice Steijn. However, their fortunes have turned around under interim head coach John van ‘t Schip, with Ajax remaining unbeaten in the league since his appointment. They have risen to fifth place in the table but are still far behind the league leaders PSV and the second-placed Feyenoord in the race for a Champions League qualification spot.
The move to Ajax will mark a new chapter in Henderson’s career, as he looks to make an impact in a different league and culture. The midfielder expressed his excitement about the project presented to him by his former teammate Gerrard and admitted that it is “nice to feel wanted” by the club.
Henderson’s transfer is part of a trend of high-profile players leaving European football for the Saudi Pro League, following the takeover of several Saudi teams by the country’s Public Investment Fund. Despite the challenges faced by both Henderson and Ajax, this move could bring fresh opportunities and success for both parties involved.
As the paperwork gets finalized, Henderson’s return to European football with Ajax seems imminent, and fans will be eager to see how he adapts to his new surroundings and contributes to his new team’s ambitions.