Soccer-England's Henderson leaves Saudi after six months to join Ajax (updated)

AFC Ajax NV

18/01/2024 20:21

Jan 18 (Reuters) - England midfielder Jordan Henderson
has signed for Ajax Amsterdam after terminating his contract
with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq after six months, the two
clubs said on Thursday.
    Henderson joined Al-Ettifaq on a three-year deal after 12
years at Liverpool. 
    With former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard as
coach, Henderson made 17 league appearances for the Dammam-based
club, who sit eighth in the standings.
    "Ajax has reached an agreement with Jordan Henderson on his
transfer to Amsterdam. The midfielder played for Al-Ettifaq in
the past six months," Ajax said in a statement.
    Al-Ettifaq said they had "mutually agreed" to terminate the
contract "with immediate effect".
    "The decision follows an amicable conclusion to the
relationship with the player," the Saudi team said.
    The 33-year-old's lucrative switch to Saudi Arabia, where
homosexuality is illegal, was criticised as Henderson has long
been a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community.
    The midfielder was booed by fans when he appeared for
England in a friendly against Australia at Wembley in October.
    "I can understand the anger. I get it. All I can say around
that is that I'm sorry that they feel like that. My intention
was never, ever to hurt anyone," Henderson told the Athletic in
September in response to the criticism.
    Henderson's move to Ajax comes with the Dutch club fifth in
the Eredivisie, 23 points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven; a
disappointing start for the 36-time champions who have not
finished outside the top three since 2006.
    They have also dropped to the Europa Conference League after
finishing third in their Europa League group.
    Ajax face RKC Waalwijk in their next league game on Sunday.

 (Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru
Editing by Christian Radnedge)
 ((chiranjit.ojha@thomsonreuters.com;))