Jordan Henderson acknowledges the crowd just after the Saudi Professional League match concerning Al-Ettifaq and Damak at Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium on Sept. 2, 2023 in Advert Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Francois Nel | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images
England global Jordan Henderson abruptly ended his enjoying time in Saudi Arabia’s Pro League, working a blow to the kingdom’s bold options to make its domestic league an international soccer hub.
Former Liverpool captain Henderson on Thursday signed a two-and-a-fifty percent-yr offer with Dutch facet Ajax shortly right after the 33-yr-previous agreed to mutually terminate his agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ettifaq.
Henderson’s U-transform on playing in the Saudi Pro League comes 6 months soon after his controversial choice to sign with the club. He had reportedly been unsatisfied following failing to settle in the nation.
Henderson’s hasty exit from Saudi Arabia marks the end of “a miserable episode in a previously exemplary occupation,” in accordance to BBC Sport’s chief soccer writer, and raises inquiries about both of those the midfielder’s reputation as properly as the impression of the Saudi Professional League.
“I’m sad to say that I will be leaving Al Ettifaq with immediate effect,” Henderson stated Thursday by way of social media. “It wasn’t an straightforward final decision but a single that I come to feel is ideal for me and my relatives.”
He added: “I want to get this possibility to thank the club & the fans for all the assist through my time. I truly felt the enjoy from Day A single. I will hold looking at & hoping for your results. Fantastic luck for the future.”
In an job interview introduced by Ajax shortly afterward, Henderson explained a “outrageous” very last few days as a “whirlwind” but that he was now fired up to start out a “new chapter” in his profession and lifestyle.
Henderson experienced been one of several significant-profile players to have moved to Saudi Arabia last summer months, with previous Authentic Madrid striker Karim Benzema and ex-Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante also producing the change.
Saudi Arabia has put in an extraordinary total on recruiting soccer stars to bolster domestic opposition in new years, as perfectly as earning substantial investments in sporting activities these types of as Components A single, golfing, tennis and boxing.
Critics have consistently accused Riyadh of “sportswashing,” or making use of sporting activities to distract from human rights abuses in the country. Saudi officials have persistently denied these promises.
Reputational harm
Henderson’s early departure from Saudi Arabia prompted many to speculate about the likely reputational damage to the country’s best domestic league.
“His exit has also hurt the picture of the Saudi Pro League to the exterior environment, anything it can ill-find the money for so early in its development and with the state established to use it as the launchpad for its bid to phase the 2034 World Cup,” reported Phil McNulty, chief soccer writer at BBC Sport.
In a statement issued on Henderson’s exit, Saad Allazeez, the vice-chairman and interim chief government of the Saudi Professional League, said: “This is all just part of soccer, all across the world and life, across all occupations. From time to time inspite of very best endeavours persons will not normally alter or settle and that can impact performances and guide to frustrations for all.”
“Jordan is a very good guy and it truly is a disgrace that matters failed to operate out for him, but he’d be the first to admit that full support was specified to him and regard revealed. So absolutely everyone experimented with and no a single is to blame,” Allazeez continued, in accordance to The Affiliated Press.
Soon immediately after Henderson’s exit from Al-Ettifaq was verified, the club said Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard experienced signed a two-year contract extension to remain as head mentor of Al-Ettifaq till 2027.
On relocating to Saudi Arabia previous 12 months, some criticized Henderson — who had been an advocate for human legal rights and a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ local community — of “self-inflicted reputational hurt” by moving to a country wherever very same-sex sexual exercise is criminalized.
Henderson claimed he experienced been “really hurt” by the backlash to his shift, introducing that his intention “has always been to support results in and communities.”