Six months after joining Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq, Jordan Henderson has terminated his contract and has joined Ajax on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
The 33-year-old joined Al-Ettifaq from Liverpool last summer on a three-year contract and £350,000 a week.
“I am sad to say that I will be leaving Al-Ettifaq promptly. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I think it’s the most productive one for me and my family,” Henderson wrote on social media.
“I need to take this opportunity to thank the club and the fans for all their help during my stay. In fact, I felt the love from day one. I will continue to watch and hope for their success. Good luck for the future. “
— Jordan Henderson (@JHenderson) January 18, 2024
Speaking to Ajax’s website, the midfielder said: “It’s been a difficult year for the club, both on and off the pitch, but it’s been the same for me for the last six months. So I hope we can help each other, help each other move forward and try to have as much success as possible in the near future.
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind and crazy few days, but now I’m really excited to be here, to start a new chapter, a new adventure in my life and my career, and I’m really excited to be here. And he’s a member of this club.
– AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) January 18, 2024
“Once I knew there was an opportunity, I was excited and disappointed that this opportunity was there for me. It was anything I wanted to try to achieve.
Saudi Pro League CEO Saad Allazeez also commented on Jordan Henderson’s deure, calling it simply a matter of football.
“It’s an integral part of football, all over the world and in life, in every race. Sometimes, despite the most productive efforts, other people don’t adapt or conform, which can affect functionality and lead to frustration for everyone. “” he said.
“Jordan is a smart guy and it’s a shame that things didn’t work out for him, but I’d be the first to admit that he’s been given all the respect. So everyone tried and no one is to blame. “