Jordan Henderson Reaches Agreement With Al Ettifaq to Leave, Set to Join Ajax: Reports

It seems as if Jordan Henderson’s Saudi adventure is coming to a premature and abrupt end as recent reports state that the England international has reached an agreement with his Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq to leave the club and is reportedly set to sign with Dutch giants Ajax.

Henderson and Al Ettifaq are reportedly undergoing the due process to finalise the termination of the initial three-year contract he had signed this past summer, to ensure that no transfer fee shall be involved in his exit.

The English midfielder has been showing signs of his displeasure in recent weeks, with reports of him not attending training sessions and his family finding it difficult to adapt to life at Saudi Arabia.

Henderson made the move to Saudi Arabia less than six months ago, when he left Anfield for a measly fee of £12 million to rejoin forces with his former teammate, Liverpool legend and current Al Ettifaq manager, Steven Gerrard.

His move came with much criticism, and the midfielder defended himself stating that he wanted to ‘achieve something special, build a club and build the league’.

Speaking about his move, Henderson said: “I wanted something that would excite me. But it needed to be something that I felt as though I could add value in and do and try something new — a new challenge and for different reasons.

“And this opportunity with Stevie (Gerrard) in a totally different league and totally different culture was something completely different, that maybe it would excite us in terms of the project that was put in front of us, in terms of the league and using my experience to try to help with that in many different areas and feeling that people value.”

But alas, it seems as if his words fell apart, just like his relationship with his new environment, and latest reports state that Henderson is already on his way back to England after agreeing in principle to join Eredivisie side, Ajax.

Ajax are in dire need of instant impact as the Dutch giants were second to last in the league till October, following a disastrous start to the season. A managerial change took place then with John van’t Schip coming in to inspire change. Under Schip, the side has found their rhythm once again as they remain unbeaten in the league since, with 7 wins and 2 draws in the last 9 games, and have now worked their way up to fifth place in the Eredivisie.

It is believed that after completing the required paperwork and medical, Henderson will be unveiled as a new Ajax player.

Henderson has made 17 appearances in the Saudi Pro League and provided four assists under Gerrard.