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.
Jordan Henderson has arrived in Amsterdam to complete his Medical with Ajax 🚨 pic.twitter.com/WZcXEU66L3
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 18, 2024
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.
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"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.
Oliver Thomas
