Jordan Henderson has reached an settlement with Al Ettifaq to depart the Saudi Professional League membership and is near becoming a member of Ajax on a everlasting foundation, in line with sources with information of the deal.
The England worldwide and his present aspect are within the strategy of finalising the termination of a three-year contract that he signed final summer time, guaranteeing no switch price will probably be concerned within the midfielder’s exit.
In the meantime, Henderson is flying again to the UK from Al Ettifaq’s winter coaching camp in Abu Dhabi, having agreed a swap to Ajax in precept.
That proposed transfer additionally requires paperwork and particulars to be ironed out earlier than the 33-year-old former Liverpool midfielder’s return to European soccer is full after a short stint within the SPL.
Henderson’s exit from Saudi Arabia comes simply six months after his transfer from Anfield.
Henderson ended a 12-year keep at Liverpool final July to maneuver to Saudi Arabia and in September, he defended his swap after widespread criticism, telling The Athletic in an unique interview that he wished to “obtain one thing particular and construct a membership and construct the league”.
He performed 17 occasions within the SPL, recording 4 assists for the aspect managed by former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard, however leaves halfway by his first season for the membership.
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Talking about his transfer, Henderson stated: “I wished one thing that may excite me. But it surely wanted to be one thing that I felt as if I may add worth in and do and take a look at one thing new — a brand new problem and for various causes.
“And this chance with Stevie (Gerrard) in a completely totally different league and completely totally different tradition was one thing utterly totally different, that possibly it could excite us by way of the venture that was put in entrance of us, by way of the league and utilizing my expertise to attempt to assist with that in many various areas and feeling that folks worth.
“It’s good to really feel wished. I do know Stevie actually wished me. I do know the membership actually wished me to go they usually wished us to try to construct over the following few years — one thing that’s right here to remain and be probably the greatest leagues on this planet.”
Final June, the Saudi Arabia ministry of sport introduced the nation’s Public Funding Fund (PIF) was to take management of 4 groups within the Saudi Professional League: Al Ahli, Al Ittihad, Al Hilal and Al Nassr. Many high-profile transfers adopted that announcement, with Karim Benzema, Roberto Firmino and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic amongst these to hitch Henderson in swapping European soccer for the Gulf state.
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Ajax, in the meantime, struggled for a lot of 2023. After recording their worst Eredivisie end (third place) since 2008-09 final time period, the Amsterdam membership started this season in dismal kind.
Maurice Steijn lasted solely 11 video games in cost earlier than being sacked in October, with Ajax second backside within the league having received solely 5 factors from their opening seven Eredivisie fixtures.
Outcomes, although, have drastically improved below interim head coach John van ‘t Schip. Since his appointment on October 30, Ajax are unbeaten within the league and have risen to fifth place because of seven wins and two attracts in 9 matches — however stay 23 factors behind runaway leaders PSV and 11 behind second-placed Feyenoord, who occupy the ultimate Champions League qualification spot.
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