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Jordan Henderson arrives in Amsterdam ahead of Ajax move

Jordan Henderson arrives in Amsterdam ahead of Ajax move
© Reuters
Jordan Henderson arrives in Amsterdam ahead of completing a permanent transfer to Dutch giants Ajax after terminating his contract with Al Ettifaq.

Jordan Henderson has arrived in Amsterdam ahead of completing a permanent transfer to Dutch giants Ajax.

Multiple reports on Wednesday revealed that Henderson has mutually agreed to terminate his contract with Al Ettifaq just six months after joining the Saudi Pro League club from Liverpool for around £12m.

The 33-year-old ended his memorable 12-year association with Liverpool to make the controversial switch to the Middle East, which drew widespread criticism after he had previously given his support for the LGBTQ+ Community.

Henderson has since struggled to settle in Saudi Arabia and has mutually agreed to terminate his contract at Al Ettifaq with immediate effect in order to facilitate a move back to Europe.

Ajax quickly emerged as the leading candidates to sign Henderson, who allegedly met with a delegation of the Eredivisie giants in Manchester on Wednesday evening to finalise the terms of his contract.

On Thursday afternoon, Sky Sports News released footage of Henderson arriving in the Netherlands and departing Amsterdam Schipol airport after initially taking a private jet from the UK.

Henderson is understood to be travelling to Amsterdam University Medical Centre to undergo his medical ahead of finalising his transfer to Ajax.

The England international is said to have agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Ajax, but he will not be eligible to make his debut this weekend against RKC Waalwijk, as the club are still securing a work permit to allow him to play in Europe.

Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraan has revealed that Ajax supporters are "excited" by Henderson's arrival and are also surprised that a player of his calibre has agreed to join the Eredivisie club.

"Things are going really rapid right now and the whole of Amsterdam is excited", Van der Kraan told Sky Sports News.

Al-Ettifaq and England midfielder Jordan Henderson pictured in June 2023© Reuters

"Ajax fans cannot believe that a player of the stature of Jordan Henderson is actually going to join. It's almost 99% sure now – just the signatures need to happen.

"Initially it was a deal for 18 months, but as I understand it now, it could be a permanent two-and-a-half year deal. That will be the only decision to make in the next sit down negotiations.

"There is no transfer fee but what we know is, Jordan will have to buy out his own contract. He had a contract with Al Etiffaq and he wants to break that – the player has to make a major payment. So that will have to be compensated.

"In terms of wages, Ajax are going to have to pay the biggest amount they've ever paid to a player."

Henderson has made a total of 19 appearances for Al Ettifaq this season and is set to leave Steven Gerrard's side who sit eighth in the Saudi Pro League table.

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Al Ettifaq's Jordan Henderson celebrates after the match on September 21, 2023
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CPSV EindhovenPSV332841108208888
2Feyenoord33256288266281
3FC Twente33206767353266
4AZ AlkmaarAZ33197767363164
5Ajax331510872591355
6NECNijmegen331311964501450
7FC UtrechtUtrecht331310104644249
8Sparta RotterdamSparta33137134947246
9Go Ahead Eagles331110124545043
10Heerenveen33107165268-1637
11Fortuna SittardSittard33910143756-1937
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13Almere CityAlmere City33713133255-2334
14Heracles3395194174-3332
15RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk3378183753-1629
16SBV ExcelsiorExcelsior33611165069-1929
RFC VolendamVolendam3347223386-5319
RVitesse3365222872-445


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