Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson joined Ajax in January 2024
Jordan Henderson.
Jordan Henderson.(Image: Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Jordan Henderson has left Ajax after the Dutch club agreed to end his contract a year early. The former Liverpool captain moved to the Johan Cruyff Arena in January 2024 following a short-lived spell at Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League.
He would go on to make 50 appearances for the Dutch giants and was part of the squad that missed out on the Eredivisie title last season. Ajax were nine points clear at the top of the league table with five matches remaining but took only two points from their next four games, allowing rivals PSV Eindhoven to overhaul them at the summit.
Confirming Henderson's departure, an Ajax statement read: “The Englishman’s contract with Ajax ran until June 30, 2026, but now ends immediately.”
While Henderson said: “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.
“My family and I were made to feel so welcome, not just by the club but also in the wonderful city of Amsterdam. We will always be grateful for that.
“Due to the tragic events of last week and the devastating loss of my former team-mate Diogo Jota and his brother Andre 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 team-mates and the supporters a fuller and more personal thank you. I will, of course, do that when the time feels more appropriate.”
Prior to joining Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2023, Henderson enjoyed a trophy-laden 12-year spell at Liverpool.
During his time at Anfield, he won the Premier League, Champions League, two League Cups and one FA Cup.
Speaking back in March 2024, Henderson admitted leaving Liverpool hurt, but claimed it was the right decision.
He said: “I think it was the right time for me as a player but also for them as a team and for them as a club, as much as that hurt at the time.
“I was very emotional. Looking back in that period of time, looking back now, it is easy to see that it was the right decision made by the manager and the club.
“It was the best decision to freshen things up. If you look at Virgil [van Dijk] becoming captain and Trent [Alexander-Arnold] becoming vice-captain and how they’ve stepped up again this season, I think it has given them another lift.
“They have been two huge players for the team this season. I think it was the best thing for the club and the team and you can see that in the performances and how they’ve done, as much as that hurts me. It’s football, and you move on.”