Jordan Henderson, the former Liverpool captain, has completed his move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq. The controversial move sees Henderson join forces with Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, who was appointed as the club’s manager earlier this month. The deal is reported to be worth around £12 million.
Henderson’s move to the Middle East has raised eyebrows due to his vocal support of LGBTQ+ rights during his time at Liverpool. Homosexuality is currently outlawed in Saudi Arabia, making his decision to join the Saudi Pro League even more contentious.
One of the burning questions surrounding Henderson’s move is how much money he will earn at his new club. According to The Sun, the midfielder will earn a staggering £700,000 a week in wages at Al-Ettifaq. This is more than three times the £200,000 he was believed to be earning every week at Liverpool. If Henderson remains with the Saudi club for three years, he stands to earn around £110 million in wages over the course of his contract.
This mega-money contract makes Henderson the highest-paid English player in the history of the game. His reported salary is almost double that of Marcus Rashford, who takes home £375,000 a week from Manchester United. Even Jadon Sancho, Henderson’s former teammate at United, earns less than him with a weekly salary of £350,000.
To put Henderson’s fortune into perspective, he now earns more than NBA legend LeBron James’ £35.5 million a year with the LA Lakers. However, he is not the best-paid player in the Saudi Pro League, as Cristiano Ronaldo earns a staggering £3.6 million per week at Al-Nassr.
The financial disparity in football salaries is evident when comparing Henderson’s earnings to those of his close friends Declan Rice and Mason Mount. Rice and Mount, who recently signed for Arsenal and Chelsea respectively, earn roughly £250,000 a week from their new clubs. Another English midfielder, Jude Bellingham, earns a reported £220,000 at his new club Real Madrid.
Henderson’s move to Al-Ettifaq has certainly raised eyebrows, but it is clear that he will be well-compensated for his decision. His salary at the Saudi club is a testament to his success and value as a player. While the move may be controversial, it is undeniable that Henderson has secured a lucrative deal that will set him up for life.
In conclusion, Jordan Henderson’s move to Al-Ettifaq has been met with controversy due to the country’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights. However, the midfielder’s reported salary of £700,000 a week makes him the highest-paid English player in history. While the financial aspect of the move is staggering, it remains to be seen how Henderson’s decision will impact his legacy and reputation in the football world.