Jordan Henderson Reaches Agreement to Terminate Al-Ettifaq Contract and Finalize Move to Next Club
Jordan Henderson has reportedly reached an agreement to terminate his contract with Al-Ettifaq, as he finalizes terms with his next club. The Liverpool midfielder’s dissatisfaction with his current situation in Saudi Arabia led him to force an exit less than a year into his three-year contract.
Reports of Henderson considering his options began circulating in January, despite Al-Ettifaq initially insisting that their captain was not for sale. However, the situation has now changed, with Ajax showing interest in the player. According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Henderson’s contract is now being terminated.
Discussions over Henderson’s future took place during Al-Ettifaq’s mid-season training camp in Abu Dhabi, involving manager Steven Gerrard and sporting director Mark Allen. Following these talks, Henderson has returned to the UK, where negotiations for a transfer to Ajax will continue, as reported by the Telegraph’s Sam Wallace.
According to Ornstein and Wallace, the 33-year-old already has an agreement in principle with Ajax. Dutch publication Voetbal International has reported that Henderson is expected to sign a two-and-a-half-year deal, although there is a possibility of an 18-month contract with an option for a further year. It is worth noting that Henderson has made a significant financial sacrifice to join Ajax, as he will earn less than what he was paid by Al-Ettifaq.
The decision to move to Ajax may come as a surprise, but it is driven by tax law. Henderson cannot return to work in the UK until 2025 without repaying the tax-free earnings he received in Saudi Arabia.
While reports suggest that Henderson’s move to Ajax is not yet finalized, it is expected to be completed in the coming days. The player came to realize that his time in Saudi Arabia could have a serious impact on his selection for the England national team. However, even without the move, Henderson’s chances of starting for England at the upcoming Euros are decreasing due to the emergence of Curtis Jones as a new factor for manager Gareth Southgate to consider.