Jordan Henderson will leave Ajax with immediate effect, paving a way for a return to the Premier League for the former Liverpool captain this summer.
Henderson, 35, joined the Dutch giants in January 2024 after an ill-fated six-month stint with Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq.
He was soon appointed captain and went on to make 57 appearances for the club and regained his place in the England squad after missing out on Euro 2024 last summer.
However, despite having the option to extend his contract until next summer, Henderson has decided to depart the club.
In a statement, Ajax said: ‘Jordan Henderson is leaving Ajax. The club has cooperated with the player’s request to terminate the current employment contract.
‘The Englishman’s contract with Ajax ran until June 30, 2026, but now ends immediately.’
Jordan Henderson will leave Ajax on a free, paving the way for a return to the Premier League
Henderson also paid tribute to the club after announcing his departure and reflected on his 18 months in Amsterdam.
‘I would like to express my immense gratitude to everyone associated with Ajax for giving me the opportunity to represent this incredible institution over the past few years,’ Henderson said.
‘To play for this club was an honour in itself. To have the privilege of captaining it was even more so.
‘My only regret is that we didn’t deliver more success for the amazing supporters. They deserve to be celebrating major titles again, and I’m sure that time will come soon.’
‘Due to the tragic events of last week, and the devastating loss of my former teammate Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, it doesn’t feel right at this moment to say or do more than share this brief statement.
‘However, I am fully aware that I owe this club, my teammates, and the supporters a fuller and more personal thank you. I will, of course, do that when the time feels more appropriate.
‘For now, I want to express my appreciation to Ajax once again, as well as everyone I haven’t had the chance to speak to in person yesterday, all of you who make this club so special.’
Henderson is said to be now weighing up his next move with the World Cup in mind. as he aims to secure a spot in England’s squad.
BBC Sport reported on Wednesday how clubs in England and across Europe are eyeing a deal for the 34-year-old.
Meanwhile, Henderson scored a singular goal for Ajax across his 57 games and despite having a big impact on the club, he leaves Amsterdam having not won a trophy.
Henderson had been poised to seal a title win in the Eredivisie last season, before a dramatic late collapse at the business end of the season saw his side eventually finish behind league leaders PSV Eindhoven.
But his performances in Amsterdam have been enough for the veteran to play his way into England head coach Thomas Tuchel’s plans.
Henderson was left out of the squad under Gareth Southgate for last summer’s European Championship, and by interim manager Lee Carsley in the autumn.
But Tuchel raised eyebrows in March when he named Henderson in a surprise move for his first Three Lions squad.
Keen to justify his decision in his opening press conference, Tuchel pointed out the midfielder’s ‘character, personality, and energy that he brings to the team’.
Henderson had previously made his last appearance amid a volley of boos and fan protests in 2023, shortly after starting his brief career in Saudi Arabia.
His time in Ajax wasn’t without controversy however, and in January Henderson was dogged by suggestions that he was set to move on for the third time since leaving Anfield, with a transfer to Ligue 1 side Monaco reportedly in the works.
The 35-year-old was believed to have gone as far as refusing to wear the armband in a bid to agitate a move, but Ajax chiefs snuffed out speculation that he would leave with a definitive statement shortly before the window shut.
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