Jordan Henderson, the former Liverpool and England midfielder, is leaving Dutch club Ajax a year before his contract was set to expire.
The announcement came on Thursday, July 10, 2025.
Henderson, 35, joined Ajax in January 2024. This move came just six months after a controversial transfer from Liverpool to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq, a move that drew criticism due to his previous advocacy for gay rights.
Despite the initial controversy, Henderson quickly settled in at Ajax, being appointed club captain and making 57 appearances. He was credited with helping Ajax rebound from a difficult season and challenge for the Eredivisie title. However, the club ultimately lost out on the title to rivals PSV Eindhoven after squandering a nine-point lead with five matches remaining.
Ajax Technical Director Alex Kroes praised Henderson, stating he was "a true captain for us, both on and off the pitch" and that his "mentality and leadership qualities" were crucial for the club's qualification for the UEFA Champions League.
Henderson's strong performances for Ajax earned him a recall to Thomas Tuchel's England squad in March. In a statement, Henderson expressed his honor at playing for and captaining Ajax. He also stated he would not be making further comments due to the "tragic events of last week, and the devastating loss of my former teammate Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva."
encmediaone reported that Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota and his brother were killed last week in a car accident in Spain.