SUMMARY
- Jordan Henderson will move on from Al-Ettifaq after making only 19 appearances.
- The English midfielder is closing on the move to Ajax in the Eredivisie.
Jordan Henderson is moving on from the Saudi Pro League after only six months. The former Liverpool captain joined the Al-Ettifaq back in the summer of 2023 but now has reached an agreement to leave the side managed by Steven Gerrard.
David Ornstein from The Athletic exclusively reported that the 33-year-old will move on from Al-Ettifaq after making only 19 appearances. The England international is currently finalizing details to terminate his previously signed three-year contract with the club. He will be moving back to Europe as a free agent. The Saudi Arabian club will receive no transfer fee for the midfielder.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Jordan Henderson has reached agreement with Al Etiffaq to leave Saudi Pro League club. 33yo & #AlEttifaq in process of finalising contract termination. Henderson has agreed in principle to join Ajax; now details/paperwork @TheAthleticFC #Ajax https://t.co/FBXfvAwMFL
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) January 17, 2024
The midfielder was in Abu Dhabi for the winter camp of Al-Ettifaq but will now fly back to the UK. Henderson moved to the Saudi Pro League after ending a 12-year stint with Liverpool, where he was the captain of the side. The midfielder was criticized for his move to Saudi Arabia but defended the move by stating that he wanted to achieve something special by building the league.
Jordan Henderson has a principal agreement with Ajax
Henderson’s stance didn’t last long, as the English midfielder is closing on the move to Ajax in the Eredivisie. As per reports, he already has a principal agreement with the Dutch club and will complete the details in the coming days.
Ten Hag when he sees Henderson becoming an Ajax player. pic.twitter.com/SVcM3JutHt https://t.co/hD0YH0Efr3
— M🍥 (@Mo_utdred) January 17, 2024
The details around the new contract of Henderson have not been disclosed yet, but it should be way less lucrative than the deal from the Saudi side. Ajax is currently struggling after a poor first six months of the season. They are fifth in the Dutch league, 11 points away from UCL spots. They will welcome the leadership and experience of Henderson into their midfield.
Juventus running close behind Ajax for Jordan Henderson
Ajax isn’t the only club that is gunning for the signature of Henderson. Reports from Italy revealed that Juventus are also running behind Ajax to sign the former UCL winner. The Italian club is willing to offer an 18-month loan deal but with a clause that gives an option to the Italian club to terminate the loan in the summer of 2024.
🚨⚪️⚫️ Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli when asked about Jordan Henderson: “We have decided to close the market, we won’t sign any player”.
“We want to trust our players, this is our choice in this moment”.
↪️🇵🇹 Tiago Djaló will still join Juve from Lille, confirmed. pic.twitter.com/XZ1DjfpY1o
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 16, 2024
Juventus are hoping that Henderson backs out of Ajax deal in the coming days which will make them the favourite for his signature. The Italian club is currently second in the league, two points behind Inter Milan. They will welcome Henderson into their midfield as they make a charge for another Serie A title in the second half of the season.