Former Liverpool footballer Jordan Henderson has been informed he can depart Saudi Arabia, lower than six months after his much-criticised transfer to play for a membership there.
Al Ettifaq, the Saudi Professional League aspect he controversially signed for final summer time, agreed to finish his contract on Wednesday.
He’s returning to England to search for a brand new membership, after Al Ettifaq additionally mentioned he might depart their winter coaching camp in Abu Dhabi.
Ajax are favourites to signal him, in line with Sky Sports activities Information, which mentioned on Monday that the Dutch membership was in talks with him and hoped to agree a deal this week.
Henderson, 33, was broadly criticised for signing for the Saudi membership in a £12m transfer from Liverpool final July, on a contract value a reported £700,000 every week.
He went to play for Steven Gerrard, a fellow former Liverpool captain, who was appointed as supervisor of Al Ettifaq final summer time.
It has been broadly reported that Henderson has struggled to settle into life within the Center East. He’s leaving after enjoying simply 19 occasions for Al Ettifaq.
The midfielder had been a vocal ally of the LGBT neighborhood in soccer and wore rainbow laces throughout England’s run to the Euro 2020 ultimate.
He recurrently voiced his assist for better inclusivity within the recreation.
3LionsPride, a fan group for LGBT England supporters, mentioned it was “past dissatisfied” when he made the change to the Gulf state, the place homosexuality is unlawful and in some {cases} punishable by dying.
In August, the group condemned Henderson’s choice for the England squad, saying that his “financial institution stability could also be burgeoning, however our respect and his off-field legacy is misplaced – and might by no means be gained again.”
Henderson made 491 appearances for Liverpool and captained the aspect to Premier League and Champions League titles. He additionally gained the FA Cup and two League Cups throughout his time at Anfield.
After his departure, the strain is rumoured to be mounting on Gerrard as Al Ettifaq boss, with Jose Mourinho – sacked by Italy’s Roma this week – being tipped to interchange him.
Al Ettifaq are eighth within the Saudi Professional League, with 25 factors. Al Hilal, who signed Brazilian attacker Neymar in 2023, are prime – with 53 factors.
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Jordan Henderson within the Al Ettifaq after signing for the membership
If Henderson does signal for Ajax, a membership often identified for enjoying thrilling soccer and competing for the Dutch title, he’ll be a part of a workforce which is struggling by its traditional requirements. After a chaotic season, the Amsterdam-based workforce are fifth within the Dutch Eredivisie – 23 factors behind league leaders PSV Eindhoven.
Many high-profile gamers, largely in the direction of the tip of their careers, have moved to Saudi Arabia to play in its Saudi Professional League in latest switch home windows, together with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.