Henderson walked out after 6 months & Laporte claimed 'many stars dissatisfied'

Jordan Henderson's move to Al-Ettifaq was viewed as a potential game-changer in the development of the Saudi Pro League.

While not having the marquee status of Cristiano Ronaldo's switch to Al-Nassr, it represented a major statement that a mid-ranking Saudi Arabian club could lure Liverpool's skipper and England's vice-captain to the Middle East.

The stunning summer of arrivals including the likes of Karim Benzema, Neymar and Henderson had appeared to represent the dawn of a potential rival to the dominance of the European leagues.

Ronaldo, who has become the Saudi Pro League's chief advocate, had claimed that it could become one of the top five best leagues in the world if more top stars were attracted.

The Portugal and Al-Nassr star recently claimed the league's standard has already surpassed Ligue 1.

A problem might not be attracting the talent with the riches on offer, but keeping them for the long term.

As such, Henderson's departure just six months into a three-year deal worth £350,000-a-week should set the alarm bells ringing for the Saudi Pro League.

In the summer, Mail Sport reported that Henderson's family had reservations about relocating to the Middle East as the 33-year-old weighted up the move.

It is telling that Henderson made a point of explaining signing for Ajax, after cancelling his Al-Ettifaq contract, was the best move for him and his family.

'A lot of people would like us to sit here and criticise the Saudi league and everything that went along with that,' Henderson said at his Ajax unveiling.

'That's not the case and it is something I am certainly not going to do. I have full respect for the league, Ettifaq the club and the people who made us feel really welcome.

'Unfortunately sometimes in life these