Henderson joins Ajax after controversial Saudi move
England and former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has joined Dutch giants Ajax, the club said on Thursday, only six months after his move to Saudi Arabia sparked controversy over gay rights.
The 33-year-old, who played nearly 500 games for Liverpool, transferred to Al-Ettifaq in July in a deal with reported wages of up to £700 000 per week.
"We wanted an experienced midfielder with leadership qualities... Jordan Henderson is that type of player," said Ajax coach John van 't Schip in a statement.
"His arrival means a huge enhancement for our squad. Both on and off the pitch, a football player of this calibre is important for our many young players," he added.
Official. pic.twitter.com/RcZTgAccMK — AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) January 18, 2024
Hendo is here. — AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) January 18, 2024
Saudi club Al-Ettifaq is coached by Anfield legend Steven Gerrard, whom Henderson replaced as Liverpool captain in 2015.
But the move to Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is illegal, sparked accusations of hypocrisy given Henderson's outspoken support for the LGBT+ community.
Pride in Football, a network of LGBT+ fan groups, said at the time: "When you see someone who has been an ally so publicly transfer to a club in a country where LGBT+ people are attacked and imprisoned, it is disappointing."
"Good luck in Saudi Arabia Jordan, but you have lost the respect of so many people who valued you and trusted you."
Former Aston Villa and Stuttgart midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, who came out as gay in 2014, also criticised the move.
"I did believe for a while that his support for the community would be genuine. Silly me..." he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Henderson himself said he was hurt by the criticism and apologised if the
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