Jordan Henderson's decision to join Al Ettifaq 'shocked' people close to him, it has been claimed, as the England midfielder prepares to sensationally quit the Saudi Pro League.
The Athletic reported on Wednesday that Henderson had agreed to terminate his contract with Al Ettifaq, having signed for the Saudi Pro League club in July.
Once that agreement is fully finalised, the 33-year-old will be free to move to Dutch giants Ajax, who are encountering a difficult season and currently sit in fifth place in the Eredivisie.
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Henderson controversially ended a 12-year association with Liverpool last summer to reunite with Reds icon Steven Gerrard, with the pair having played together at Anfield between 2011 and 2015.
But despite Al Ettifaq topping the league after five games this season, they haven't won a game since October 28.
The Daily Mail reported earlier this month that Henderson was 'desperate' to return to the Premier League, citing the heat and humidity in Saudi Arabia and the low attendances as key factors.
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According to The Athletic, some people were said to be 'shocked' at the midfielder's decision to move to Al Ettifaq in the first place, given that he still had two years left on his contract at Liverpool.
Henderson did receive assurances from Gareth Southgate that his England place would be secure in the short-term, although the midfielder's long-term prospects did appear bleaker as more time passed.
Speaking of his final days at Liverpool in an interview with The Athletic's Adam Crafton and David Ornstein in September, Henderson revealed: "There were a few things that sent alarm bells ringing.
"I've got a very good relationship with Jurgen [Klopp]. He was very honest with me ... It [a conversation between the pair] put me in a position where I knew that I wasn't going to be playing as much.
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"I knew there were going to be new players coming in my position. And if I'm not playing, as anybody will know, especially the manager, that can be quite difficult for me and especially when I've been at a club for so long, I've captained the team for so long."
Topics: Jordan Henderson, Liverpool, Saudi Pro League, Steven Gerrard, England, Ajax