Jordan Henderson’s contentious trip to Saudi Arabia appears to be reaching an end.
According to an exclusive story from The Athletic, Jordan Henderson’s contract with Saudi club Al Ettifaq will be canceled.
The former Sunderland academy graduate had hoped to return to the Premier League, but will instead join Ajax, barely six months after joining for Saudi Arabian club Al Ettifaq under questionable circumstances. Henderson faced criticism from LGBTQ activists for moving to Saudi Arabia, citing his previous support for the group and Saudi Arabia’s sexuality laws.
The 33-year-old cost Al Ettifaq an estimated £13 million, with the Saudi club apparently paying him roughly £350,000 every week. Despite his desire to return to the Premier League, The Athletic reports that Henderson’s next destination will be Ajax in Holland.
According to the publication, Henderson has reached an agreement with Al Etiffaq to leave the Saudi Pro League club, and the club is in the process of terminating his contract. The Athletic have also said that Henderson has agreed in principle to join Ajax, with the deal nearing completion.
Henderson hopes to be picked to England’s European Championship squad under Gareth Southgate this summer. The midfielder progressed through the ranks at Sunderland, where he made 79 appearances before joining Liverpool in 2011, when he led the Reds to the Premier League title and Champions League victory.
Henderson’s Saudi club, Al Etiffaq, is managed by former Liverpool colleague and ex-England captain Steven Gerrard. The club is now seventh in the Saudi Pro League and has not won since October.
