AMSTERDAM —
The lucrative Saudi soccer league lost one of its high-profile players on Thursday after English midfielder Jordan Henderson quit Al-Ettifaq to sign for troubled Dutch powerhouse Ajax.
Henderson, former Liverpool captain, lasted only six months in Saudi Arabia after joining a group of elite players, led by Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, who left for the reign with lucrative contracts.
But that was not enough for Henderson, 33, who reportedly never settled in the Middle East and who saw his return to European football as an important point in his return to the England team ahead of the European Championship.
“This is just part of football, all over the world and in life, in all careers. Sometimes, despite the best efforts, people do not adjust or establish themselves and that can impact their performance and lead to the frustration of everything,” said the vice president and interim CEO of the Saudi league Saad Allazeez.
“Jordan is a good kid and it’s a shame things didn’t work out for him, but he would be the first to admit that they gave him all the support and respect.”
Henderson’s arrival is important for Ajax, whose young team needs an experienced midfielder to recover from a disastrous start to the season.
“We really wanted an experienced midfielder with leadership qualities. Due to injuries, we also wanted someone who could be a starter right away. “Jordan Henderson is that player,” coach John van ‘t Schip said in a statement on Thursday in which Ajax confirmed the signing.
Henderson signed an agreement through June 30, 2026. Financial details were not disclosed.
Henderson, who. He left for Al-Ettifaq in July, joining former Liverpool captain Steven Gerard, who manages the club. But his decision led to a backlash from the LGBTI community in England and damaged his reputation.
Henderson had previously shown her support for inclusion by wearing rainbow armbands as part of a campaign by the group Stonewall.
Henderson has made 81 appearances for England but struggled to lift his Saudi team. Al-Ettifaq is eighth in the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Ettifaq said in a statement that the club and Henderson “mutually agreed to terminate the player’s contract immediately.”
With his departure to Amsterdam, Henderson will have to take a pay cut. His three-year contract in Saudi Arabia reportedly paid him £700,000 ($900,000) a week. Salaries are much lower at Ajax, although the club has increased payroll in recent years seeking to become competitive again.
“The club and Jordan believe this quick decision, without any delay or further distraction, has been made for both the overall good of the club and for Jordan,” the statement said.
2024-01-18 21:26:02
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