Jordan Henderson, the former Liverpool and England midfielder, has left Saudi Arabia and joined Ajax, the Dutch club announced on Thursday. His move to Al-Ettifaq in July had caused a backlash from the LGBT+ community, who accused him of hypocrisy and betrayal.
Henderson, 33, had played for Liverpool for almost 500 games before moving to Al-Ettifaq, where he reportedly earned up to £700,000 ($887,000) per week. He said he wanted a new challenge and felt unwanted by Liverpool, who had revamped their midfield.
However, his transfer to Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is illegal, angered many of his fans and supporters, who had praised him for his vocal stance on gay rights. Pride in Football, a network of LGBT+ fan groups, said they were disappointed by his decision and that he had lost their respect and trust.
Thomas Hitzlsperger, the former Aston Villa and Stuttgart midfielder who came out as gay in 2014, also slammed Henderson on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. He said he had been naive to think that Henderson was a genuine ally of the community.
Henderson said he was hurt by the criticism and apologised to the gay community if they felt he had abandoned them. He said he was not motivated by the money and that his salary reports were exaggerated. He also said his presence in Saudi Arabia, where he was vocal about his views, was a positive thing.
He only stayed in Saudi Arabia for six months, where he played under Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool legend and his former captain, who coached Al-Ettifaq. He then moved to Ajax, where he will play alongside some of the most talented young players in Europe.
Ajax coach John van ‘t Schip said he was delighted to sign Henderson, who he described as an experienced midfielder with leadership qualities. He said Henderson was a huge enhancement for their squad, both on and off the pitch.
Henderson was one of the many football stars who joined the Saudi league, which is known for its lavish spending on sport and its poor record on human rights. The Saudi league has attracted players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Neymar, and Sadio Mane, who have been paid huge salaries to play for Saudi clubs.
Saudi Arabia has also invested heavily in sports events like Formula One in Jeddah and the LIV Golf tour, which have been criticised as “sportswashing” – an attempt to divert attention from its human rights violations.
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Henderson said he hoped his fans would understand his choices and support him in his new adventure. He said he was excited to play for Ajax, one of the most prestigious clubs in the world, and to challenge for trophies in the Netherlands and Europe.
He also said he would continue to speak up for the LGBT+ community and to fight against discrimination and injustice in any form. He said he was proud of his achievements and grateful for his opportunities, and that he would always remember his time at Liverpool and Al-Ettifaq with fondness.
