Jordan Henderson is no longer an Ajax player. The English midfielder, who joined the Dutch side in January last year, asked to terminate his contract and is now a free agent. At 35, the former Liverpool captain is already laying the groundwork for a Premier League return, according to sources like The Guardian and BBC. The goal behind the move? Earning a spot back in the England squad now that Thomas Tuchel has taken over.
The request to leave came from Henderson himself. The agreement was mutual and respectful. He gave up a portion of the salary he was set to earn through mid-2026. Ajax, for their part, didn’t try to hold him. It was a short stint, 57 appearances, one goal, nine assists. Not a disaster, but not a defining chapter either. He left without much impact on the pitch, signing off with a classy, yet slightly somber message. “My only regret is that we didn’t bring more success to the incredible fans,” he said.
From Saudi Arabia to Amsterdam, and now possibly home
Henderson’s recent path has been a bit of a carousel. He left Liverpool in 2023 to join Saudi club Al-Ettifaq, a move that drew backlash, especially from the LGBTQIA+ community, since he had been seen as a supporter of the cause and then signed for a team in a country with a poor human rights record. That project fizzled quickly, and Henderson terminated his contract after just six months. He then landed at Ajax on a free transfer. Now he’s without a club again.
Back in England, speculation is already picking up. The most likely destination? Sunderland. The club that gave Henderson his start just won promotion to the top flight and is reportedly interested in bringing him back as a veteran presence in a new phase of the team’s rebuild. He knows the club, the culture, and the environment. He could add leadership and stability. If the goal is to get back on England’s radar, playing consistently in the Premier League is the best route.
Tuchel’s arrival puts Henderson back in the conversation
When Thomas Tuchel replaced Gareth Southgate, doors started opening again—ones that had previously looked closed for good. Under Southgate, Henderson had been pushed aside. He missed out on Euro 2024 and seemed to be on the outside looking in when it came to major tournaments. But in March, Tuchel called him up and even started him in a match against Andorra.
Was it just a one-off? Maybe. But it was enough to put Henderson’s name back in the mix. To stay in contention, though, he’ll need to play at a level that gets noticed. The Premier League remains the most obvious, and most effective, platform to do that. He’s no longer in a phase of chasing titles or exotic projects. At 35, it’s all about performance and relevance.
Trying to return to the league also means facing the pressure of proving he’s still got what it takes. Henderson knows the expectations. He’s not wearing Liverpool’s badge anymore. He’s not Klopp’s captain. Now, he has to show he still has value, just as a player.