- Jordan Henderson has officially completed his move to Al-Ettifaq, joining the list of top players who have secured transfers to Saudi clubs
- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp described Henderson as a legend in a video posted on the club’s social media pages
Jordan Henderson has joined the list of top players who have secured transfers to Saudi clubs, with the former Liverpool man signing a deal with Al-Ettifaq.
According to BBC Sports, Henderson has moved in a deal worth £12 million plus add-ons. The England international will be earning £350,000 a week playing for Al-Ettifaq, where he will be reunited Steven Gerrard. The pair were teammates at Anfield but Gerrard already ended his playing career and is now the manager of Al-Ettifaq.
Jordan Henderson and former teammate Steven Gerrard have been reunited at Al-Ettifaq. Photo/ TEAMtalk.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp described Henderson as a legend in a video posted on the club’s social media pages.
“You are a legend. I know people say recently we use that word slightly too often. I can tell you, that it’s not in your case. It’s sad, absolutely strange, because he is the only captain I had here at Liverpool, but I think it is exciting for him as well. We will miss him, without a shadow of a doubt, that’s clear – as a man and as a player. But, as I said, that’s football.” Jurgen Klopp said on Jordan Henderson joining Al-Ettifaq, as per BBC Sports.
Henderson’s move to Saudi Arabia brings an end to his 12-year Reds career. The England international joined Liverpool in 2011 from Sunderland in a deal worth £20 million. In his first season, he featured in more matches than any other player.
Henderson claimed a maiden winner’s medal in the League Cup but would see his play time reduced following the arrival of a new manager at Anfield. Nonetheless, he worked hard and found his way back to Liverpool’s starting eleven. His impressive performance during the 2013-14 campaign earned him a spot in England’s World Cup finals squad.
The arrival of current Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp brought a new beginning at Anfield, with Henderson becoming captain. Henderson played a significant role as Liverpool reached the final of the UEFA Champions League in 2018, which ended in heartbreak in Kyiv. However, he led the side to winning the trophy the following season after beating Tottenham Hotspur in the final.
Henderson was also the skipper as Liverpool won the 2019-20 Premier League title. His other titles as a Liverpool player include the FA Cup, FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
Jordan Henderson won the UEFA Champions League title with Liverpool. Photo/ Daily Mail.
Liverpool are currently undergoing a midfield rebuild that is not yet complete. Henderson might just be the first to leave as Thiago Alcantara is also on the radar of Saudi clubs. Meanwhile, Liverpool already gave Brazilian midfielder Fabinho the green light to complete a move to Al Ittihad.
The English side have added Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to their team and are still showing interest in Southampton’s Romeo Lavia.
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