Ajax have confirmed the signing of Jordan Henderson on a two-and-a-half year deal, following the termination of his contract with Al-Ettifaq which ended his nightmare spell in Saudi Arabia.
The 33-year-old made a hasty exit from the Saudi Pro League side after failing to settle in the country since leaving Liverpool last summer.
Shortly after his signing was announced, the England international took to social media to thank his former teammates and fans and explain his decision to leave the Saudi club.
‘I’m sad to say that I will be leaving Al-Ettifaq with immediate effect.’ He wrote on X, formerly Twitter. ‘It wasn’t an easy decision but one that I feel is best for me and my family.
‘I want to take this opportunity to thank the club & the fans for all the support during my time. I really felt the love from Day One. I’ll keep watching & hoping for your success. Good luck for the future.’
Former Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson has joined Ajax on a two-and-a-half year deal
Ajax released a series of images on their website with Jordan Henderson posing in their kit
Jordan, welcome to Ajax ❌❌❌ pic.twitter.com/nAZhQACt5E
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) January 18, 2024
Ajax announced the marquee capture in a video that lauded his abilities as a leader and comfort playing in ‘red and white’ – owing to his early days with boyhood club Sunderland.
Ajax interim boss John van’t Schip told the club’s website: ‘We wanted an experienced midfielder with leadership qualities. Partially due to injuries in the team, we were looking for someone who could step in immediately. Jordan Henderson is that type of player.
‘His arrival means a huge enhancement for our squad. Both on and off the pitch, a football player of this calibre is important for our many young players.
‘He’s an English international player and has won the Champions League and many other prizes with Liverpool. I am happy he’s here.’
Henderson underwent his medical in Amsterdam on Thursday after positive talks with Al-Ettifaq over a contract termination at the club’s winter training camp in Abu Dhabi.
His signing comes after The Telegraph reported on Wednesday that the player did not receive a penny of his mouth-watering £350,000-a-week wages at Al-Ettifaq, having deferred payments in the last six months.
Worse still, the report suggested that according to certain sources close to the player, there is a belief that Henderson will never be paid what he is owed.
It is thought that the reason for deferring his wages was done for tax reasons, reportedly having done so in part to return to the UK and represent England.
UK law stipulates that any person that spends more than 90 days in the country is considered a resident for tax purposes.
The Telegraph added that the player is thought to have been advised he was due three weeks pro rata in the UK in order to still be considered a non-resident, with the limit on his ability to spend time back home a key reason for the deferral.
Henderson said that he decision to leave the Saudi cub was best for both him and his family
Henderson claimed that the decision to leave the Saudi club after only six months was best for him ad his family
Ajax have rocketed up the Eredivisie table following the appointment of interim boss John van’t Schip
