Jordan Henderson set for new club as Al Ettifaq contract terminated

Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is set to join Ajax on a permanent deal, with his Al Ettifaq contract in the process of being terminated.

The 33-year-old midfielder signed a three-year deal with the Saudi Pro League club last summer, leaving Anfield in a £12m move.

Henderson's switch to the Middle East came as a surprise, with the Reds' not planning to offload their captain of eight years as part of the midfield rebuild.

As well as forcing a chance in Liverpool's squad planning, the transfer was not without wider controversy, with Henderson previously a prominent advocate from within men's football for LGBT+ rights. Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia.

In a now infamous interview with the Athletic, Henderson insisted the challenge of developing football in Saudi Arabia was what attracted him to the project. However, according to a number of recent stories, the England international has struggled to settle to the lifestyle in Dammam. Meanwhile, on the pitch, Al Ettifaq are in poor form and have not won a game since October.

The Steven Gerrard-managed side have reportedly averaged gates of just 7,800 so far in 2023/24.

Now, just half a season on from his move, the Times reports that Henderson is flying back to the UK from Al Ettifaq's winter training camp, while the Athletic claims he has agreed a deal to join Dutch giants Ajax.

That report adds that the deal still requires "paperwork and details to be ironed out", with the Saudi Pro League side apparently willing to forgo a transfer fee for the former Sunderland midfielder.

Liverpool reportedly had a 'healthy' sell-on clause if Henderson were allowed to leave Al Ettifaq for a return to Europe, though that will not come into effect should he move for free as expected.