Liverpool and England midfielder Jordan Henderson has completed a £12million ($15.4m) move to Steven Gerrard’s Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq.
The Athletic reported on Saturday that Henderson had completed a medical and was set to sign a three-year contract.
The 33-year-old had last week left Liverpool’s training camp to pursue the move after agreeing a deal in principle.
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Henderson had two years left on the four-year deal that he signed in the summer of 2021, but his Saudi switch stands to earn him close to £700,000 ($917,000) a week.
Liverpool finally agreed an initial fee of £12m with Al Ettifaq on Wednesday following negotiations between the two clubs.
Al Ettifaq had initially hoped that Henderson would be granted a free transfer, but Anfield chiefs made it clear that would not be the case.
A key factor in Henderson agreeing to the move was whether he would continue to be considered for England selection by head coach Gareth Southgate, who confirmed in talks with the midfielder that that remains the case.
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said it was a “sad and strange” day for the club to lose their captain.
“I know it was a really, really tough decision for Hendo and I was around or with him all the way,” he told the club website.
“It’s sad, absolutely strange, because he is the only captain I had here at Liverpool, but I think it is exciting for him as well. We will miss him, without a shadow of a doubt, that’s clear – as a man and as a player.”
Gerrard was appointed earlier this month as Al Ettifaq’s new manager and has played a key role in driving the pursuit of Henderson.
Henderson joined Liverpool from Sunderland in 2011 and was appointed club captain after Gerrard’s departure in 2015.
He has been a constant in the Liverpool side since his arrival, making 492 appearances in all competitions and playing 43 times for Liverpool last season.
Henderson has been a leader off the pitch for Liverpool and England too, being one of the most vocal players in support of the LGBTQI+ community and fans. Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia and Liverpool’s Kop Outs supporters’ group said it would be “appalled” if a proposed transfer materialised.
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The club supporters’ board, which was founded in 2022 and is made up of 16 members including Paul Amann, Kop Outs chairperson and Jo Goodall, chair of Liverpool’s women’s supporters club, said: “Jordan Henderson was a true captain and true leader for Liverpool on and off the pitch. We know he did much to promote inclusion on and off the pitch. He stood out as a principled footballer.
“We are therefore very disappointed by his decision and the hurt and division it has created. The very essence of the Liverpool supporters board is to be inclusive and ensure all Liverpool fans, whatever their faith, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability can attend and enjoy football.
“That’s what we want for fans, that’s what we want for football. We stand in solidarity with our allies from Kop Outs, Liverpool’s LGBT+ Fans Group”.
Liverpool’s midfield is already undergoing a considerable refresh this offseason with Alexis Mac Allister of Brighton and Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig already arriving. They are also interested in a move for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia and are set to make an improved offer after seeing an opening £37m bid rejected by the south-coast club.
James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain left at the end of their contracts in June while Fabio Carvalho has joined RB Leipzig on a season-long loan.
The Saudi Pro League has emerged as a destination for several European stars after the Public Investment Fund takeover of Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli.
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr back in December, with his former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema making the move to Al Ittihad in early June.
Henderson’s former Liverpool team-mate Roberto Firmino signed for Al Ahli earlier this month after his contract with the Premier League side expired with Fabinho expected to follow him to Al Ittihad. Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy have all also moved to the Gulf state.
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Jordan Henderson had the trust of my community. Then he broke it
What now for Liverpool’s midfield?
Analysis by Andy Jones
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Losing both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson will leave Liverpool looking light in midfield. Added to that, Fabio Carvalho has joined RB Leipzig on loan.
Jurgen Klopp has largely rebuilt that area this summer with the signings of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai for a combined fee of around £95million ($123m) following the exits of James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arthur Melo.
The versatile new duo should provide a sizeable injection of energy and creativity, but Liverpool haven’t yet brought in a specialist defensive midfielder. That may need to change.
If Liverpool continue with the 3-box-3 system they finished the season in, Mac Allister profiles as the ideal left-sided No 10 and Szoboszlai the right-sided No 10.
However, losing both Henderson and Fabinho mean changes will need to be made.
They are keen on Southampton’s Romeo Lavia and are set to make an improved offer after seeing a £37m bid rejected by the south-coast club.
There is also Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott. They had very different campaigns last season, but could have their progress slowed by the signings of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai.
Though Klopp has brought in new faces, the possible loss of such experience in midfield will need to be filled.
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Liverpool can replace Henderson the player. It's everything else they'll miss
(Photo: Naomi Baker/Getty Images)(Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
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