Jordan Henderson has reached an agreement in principle to join Ajax from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq.
The England midfielder has expressed an interest in leaving Al-Ettifaq this month after failing to settle in the Middle East, following his move to the Saudi side from Liverpool last summer.
[dugoutvideo id=”eyJrZXkiOiJWRnhWNTBVYSIsInAiOiJ0aGUtZm9vdGJhbGwtZmFpdGhmdWwiLCJwbCI6IiJ9″ partner=”the-football-faithful”]
The Athletic are reporting that Henderson has reached an agreement with Al-Ettifaq to terminate his contract with the club and the 33-year-old is set to sign for Dutch outfit Ajax.
Henderson’s transfer will end a disappointing six months in the Saudi Pro League, following his controversial move to the big-spending division. Henderson has been criticised for his decision to move to Saudi Arabia, having previously been a vocal ally of LGBTQ+ community. Same-sex relations in Saudi Arabia are illegal.
“I can understand the frustration. I can understand the anger,” Henderson told The Athletic in September.
“I get it. All I can say around that is that I’m sorry that they feel like that. My intention was never, ever to hurt anyone. My intention has always been to help causes and communities where I felt like they have asked for my help.”
Henderson is now set to return to Europe after agreeing a deal in principle with Ajax. The midfielder will hope a return to European football can aid his hopes of making Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024 this summer.
Ajax are currently fifth in the Eredivisie and will take on Bodø/Glimt in the UEFA Europa Conference League knockout rounds next month.
Read – The five most expensive January transfers of all time
See more – The best minute-per-goal ratios in each of Europe’s top leagues this season