Henderson return to Europe fixed: Ajax does not have to pay a transfer fee

After only 6 months in Saudi Arabia

Jordan Henderson has ended the Saudi Pro League experiment after just six months. The former Liverpool captain is leaving Al-Ettifaq and returning to Europe to join Ajax Amsterdam. The central midfielder signed a two-and-a-half year contract with the Dutch record champions until the summer of 2026.

Ajax will not pay a transfer fee as Henderson terminated his original three-year contract with the Dammam club before moving. According to reports, the 33-year-old was foregoing around 20 million euros net per year. The Englishman will also receive significantly less from the Dutch. Big earners like Steven Berghuis and Steven Bergwijn do not receive more than the rumored 5 million euros per season.

The Amsterdam team has been looking for an experienced midfielder with leadership qualities for a long time and has now found him in Henderson. The veteran will lead the second youngest team in the Eredivisie with an average age of 22.7. Conversely, Henderson is likely to hope to be recommended for longer spells in the English national team at Ajax a few months before the European Championships. In the last two international matches in November, he was on the pitch for more than 61 minutes and once did not play. Apparently he has to wait a little longer for his Ajax debut, as he will most likely not be there on Sunday against RKC Waalwijk due to a lack of a work permit.

“We wanted an experienced midfielder with leadership qualities. Also due to injuries, we were looking for someone who would be ready to play immediately. Jordan Henderson is such a player,” said coach John van ‘t Schip. “His signing means a big boost in quality for our team. A footballer of this caliber is important for the many young players, both on and off the pitch. He is an England international and won the Champions League and many other trophies with Liverpool.”

Ajax new signing Henderson leaves Saudi Arabia after settling in problems

The reason for leaving Saudi Arabia is said to be, among other things, problems getting used to it. Coach Steven Gerrard’s team paid 14 million euros for Henderson, making him by far the most expensive over-33 midfielder in football history. In September he said: “It’s nice to feel wanted. I know Stevie really wanted me. I know that the club really wanted me to come and that over the next few years we want to try to build something – something that will last and be one of the best leagues in the world.”

The 81-time England player was criticized for his move to the Saudi Pro League, not least because homosexual acts are illegal in Saudi Arabia and can be punished with the death penalty, while Henderson has been a strong supporter of this in the past LGBTQ community used.

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