Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson linked with a return to English football with surprise club: Reports
Former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson could reportedly return to English football as EFL Championship leaders Sunderland are considering re-signing him. Since leaving Anfield in 2023, things haven’t gone according to plan for Henderson as he has struggled to find his groove.
The English midfielder joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq from Liverpool in 2023 for a reported fee of €14 million. However, he struggled to settle in the Middle East and joined Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam six months later. He had remarked that going to Saudi Arabia was a mistake and was happy to join the Dutch side.
In Henderson’s early days at the Dutch capital, he was a regular when fit, as he played the entirety of his first three games. However, things seem to have taken a twist in the tale for the former Liverpool man as his playing minutes at Ajax Amsterdam have gradually reduced. He was used as a substitute in his last two games for the club, playing only six and 16 minutes, respectively.
According to the Sun, if Henderson’s lack of regular playing time in Ajax persists, he could consider making a return to English football in January. Multiple Premier League clubs are aware of the situation and are keeping a close eye on it. However, Sunderland are also keeping tabs on Henderson and are reportedly considering a loan deal for him.
Sunderland are currently at the top of the table of the EFL Championship with 19 points after nine games. They are hoping to secure a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017, and a player like Henderson, with his wealth of experience, could make the job easier for them.
Jordan Henderson is a product of Sunderland academy. He started playing for the club’s youth team in 2006 and was promoted to the senior team in 2008.
How Jordan Henderson fared at Liverpool
Jordan Henderson made a switch from Sunderland to Liverpool in 2011 for a reported fee of €18 million. He played his debut game for the Reds in the Premier League against his childhood club Sunderland in a match that ended in a 1-1 draw. He scored his first goal for Liverpool in a 3-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers.
In 2012, he won his first trophy at Anfield as the Reds defeated Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup final on penalties after a 2-2 draw. However, they lost the FA Cup title to Chelsea (2-1). He became a first-team regular at the Merseyside club in the 2013-14 season. He was made the skipper after legend Steven Gerrard left the club in 2015.
While Henderson won a trophy in his debut season at Anfield, it was followed by a seven-year drought. He won his next trophy for Liverpool in the 2018-19 season and followed it with a Premier League title the following season.
He also won the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2020. In 2022, he won the FA Cup and another Carabao Cup and crowned it with the Community Shield in the 2023-23 season. Simply put, Henderson won every trophy available to him at Liverpool. He left the club in 2023 for Al-Ettifaq.