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Jordan Henderson’s new club Al Ettifaq had fewer fans than 18 League One sides last season.
The Liverpool skipper has joined the Saudi Pro League side in a deal worth £12million plus add-ons.
The England international will reportedly earn £700,000 a week at his new club, which is four times his wage at Anfield.
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On Wednesday, Henderson announced he would be leaving Liverpool, where he won seven major trophies over 12 years including the Champions League and the club’s first Premier League crown in 30 years.
The 33-year-old joined Liverpool from Sunderland back in June 2011 for £20million and went on to play 492 times for the Reds, claiming 33 goals and 57 assists in that time.
Henderson has linked up with former team-mate and Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard, who is the manager of Al-Ettifaq.
And having spent a career playing at a raucous Stadium of Light and Anfield, Henderson’s new home will take some getting used to.
Al Ettifaq attendances
As noted by the Athletic, while the likes of Al Nassr play in front of big crowds and challenge for trophies, including the AFC Champions League, Al Ettifaq are a more humble outfit.
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Henderson is joining a team that finished seventh in the Saudi Pro League last term, with an average attendance of 5,561.
As per Transfermakt, that is a smaller average attendance than 18 clubs in last season’s League One. Indeed, it is around 200 spectators shy of the average turnout at Wycombe Wanderers’ Adams Park.
Moreover, it’s almost five times fewer spectators than Derby County’s average turn-out, with the club having registered the highest attendance figures in last term’s third tier, despite finishing seventh.
Al Nassr will be hoping Henderson’s arrival can help bring more spectators to the Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium, which has a maximum capacity of 26,000.
Topics: Football, Transfers, Premier League, Saudi Arabia, Jordan Henderson, Saudi Pro League, Steven Gerrard
Chris Byfield