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Former Liverpool captain and midfielder Jordan Henderson, who plays for England at international level, has exited Ajax by mutual consent. Henderson has bid adieu to teammates at the club's training camp in Zeist. Earlier, he also returned to Liverpool to pay respect to his former teammate Diogo Jota. He said that Jota's death has influenced him in how to communicate the decision. Henderson still had a year remaining on his contract with Ajax, but the club announced that it had "agreed to the player’s request to end the current employment contract."
The former Liverpool midfielder was rumored to be eyeing a move back to his boyhood club Sunderland. However, local media on Wearside have indicated that Sunderland are not considering Henderson, as they are focusing on signing younger players ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Henderson, on his visit pay respect to Jota said in a club statement that, "Due to the tragic events of last week, and the devastating loss of my former teammate Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, it doesn’t feel right at this moment to say or do more than share this brief statement. However, I am fully aware that I owe this club, my teammates, and the supporters a fuller and more personal thank you. I will, of course, do that when the time feels more appropriate." AFC Ajax shared a video of Henderson saying farewell to his teammates.
Watch the video here:
Jordan Henderson expresses gratitude towards Ajax for the opportunity to play
Jordan Henderson joined Ajax in January 2024 and is credited with winning the Premier League and Champions League while playing for Liverpool at Anfield. Henderson feels grateful towards Ajax for allowing him to prove his skills. In his farewell speech, Henderson said, "I would like to express my immense gratitude to everyone associated with Ajax for allowing me to represent this incredible institution over the past few years. To play for this club was an honour in itself. To have the privilege of captaining it was even more so."
"My only regret is that we didn’t deliver more success for the amazing supporters. They deserve to be celebrating major titles again, and I’m sure that time will come soon," he concluded.
The 35-year-old midfielder who played the role of captain for Ajax this season was unsuccessful in guiding the team to the Dutch league title, as a late slump allowed rivals PSV Eindhoven to overtake them. Henderson successfully played 84 times for England and made his return to the national squad this year under new manager Thomas Tuchel.
