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Jordan Henderson agrees Al Ettifaq departure to end nightmare Saudi Arabia spell

Jordan Henderson agrees Al Ettifaq departure to end nightmare Saudi Arabia spell

Henderson is on the way out.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

Jordan Henderson has agreed a deal to leave Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq after just under six months at the club, according to reports.

Henderson arrived in Saudi Arabia shortly after the appointment of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard as Al Ettifaq manager.

While his time at the club started well, with Al Ettifaq topping the Saudi Pro League after five games, they have not won since October 28.

And the Daily Mail reported earlier this month that Henderson was 'desperate' to end his Saudi adventure after just six months and seal an immediate return to the Premier League.

It is claimed that the 33-year-old has 'struggled with the heat and humidity' in the country, and isn't impressed with Al Ettifaq's average attendance of 7,800.

And it was even claimed that the former Premier League-winning captain would be prepared to take a major pay cut in order to leave.

Now, according to The Athletic, Henderson has agreed a deal to terminate his Al Ettifaq contract and sign for Dutch giants Ajax.

The 33-year-old is currently finalising those arrangements, meaning that Ajax will not need to pay a transfer fee to bring him to the Johan Cruyff ArenA. He is also flying back to the UK from his current club's winter training camp.

Henderson will now hope to continue to lead Ajax's revival, with the Dutch giants now in fifth place in the Eredivisie after bouncing back from a horror start to the season that saw them in the relegation zone for several weeks.

While they are 23 points behind leaders PSV - who have won all of their 17 games under Peter Bosz - they are 11 points behind second-placed Feyenoord, who occupy the second and final automatic Champions League qualification spot.

It appears that a return to the Premier League was not a realistic option for the 33-year-old, who ended his 12-year association with Liverpool last summer.

He is now set to embark on a new adventure in the Netherlands - which he will hope will prove more successful on the pitch than his time at Al Ettifaq.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Jordan Henderson, Saudi Pro League, Liverpool, Transfers

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.