'My work here is done' – Social media reacts to Jordan Henderson leaving Saudi Arabia
Growing the game in Saudi Arabia? Completed it, mate.
Just a half a season on from his highly controversial move to Al Ettifaq, Jordan Henderson is returning to Europe to join Ajax.
The 33-year-old former Liverpool captain torched his Anfield legacy with the transfer – and subsequent interview with the Athletic – while also letting down the LGBT+ community he'd once been such a prominent advocate for.
Henderson famously insisted he wasn't leaving Liverpool for the money but because he was excited by the project in the Middle East, while also claiming he would've stayed if he felt wanted by Jurgen Klopp.
Meanwhile, he suggested that he might even be able to change attitudes from the inside while working in country where homosexuality is illegal. A claim somewhat undermined when an image of his rainbow armband was greyed-out in the official announcement video.
Things didn't really go to plan after that either.
After half a year of poor results on the field, low attendances and reports of his failure to settle in his new surroundings, Al Ettifaq have agreed to terminate their No. 10's contract as he nears a switch to Ajax.
Because if there's one country that needs Henderson to help bring some liberal values, it's the Netherlands.
As you'd expect, social media was quick to respond to the news:
Henderson is reportedly set to take a massive pay cut to move to the Eredivisie, while he could make his debut for Ajax against RKC Waalwijk as early as this Sunday, as he looks to put the Saudi episode behind him.
What impact the former Liverpool skipper's brief stint in the Pro League has on one former Anfield teammate remains to be seen...