Jordan Henderson has stated he wishes to add to Ajax’s prosperous history soon after he was unveiled by the Dutch club following his move back again to Europe from Saudi Arabia.
The England midfielder toured the club’s museum and spoke about Ajax legends soon after terminating his deal with Al-Ettifaq next an unsettled six months there.
Henderson, 33, has signed for Ajax on a two-and-a-50 percent calendar year deal and will be tasked with turning around a nightmare season for the Amsterdam club.
Ajax sit a lowly fifth in the Eredivisie, some 23 details powering runaway leaders PSV Eindhoven, ended up knocked out the Dutch Cup by amateurs USV Hercules and bombed out the Europa League into the Conference League.
But ex-Liverpool guy Henderson invoked Ajax’s loaded previous as he reported: ‘When I was a child, there had been certainly a good deal of fantastic gamers that played for Ajax. I can try to remember [Clarence] Seedorf, [Frank] Rijkaard, [Marco] Van Basten, [Johan] Cruyff, Zlatan [Ibrahimovic].
Previous Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson has joined Ajax on a two-and-a-50 percent calendar year offer
England midfielder Henderson was filmed on the lookout all over Ajax’s museum soon after he signed
Henderson was happy to see shirts with his name and new No 6 on sale in the club retailer
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‘Then definitely much more recently, [Luis] Suarez, since I’m friends with him as nicely, so there are so quite a few fantastic players who have played for this club, which is why it really is a person of the most important in the environment.
‘So I’m just so energized to be in this article and to see all this historical past is extraordinary truly.
‘Ajax as a soccer club, it speaks for alone with the globe course gamers that have performed listed here for many, many a long time.
‘Once I knew there was an possibility, I was excited and overwhelmed that this opportunity was there for me. It was a thing that I needed to check out and make transpire. It truly is pretty humbling for me to be right here.’
Henderson will use the No 6 shirt at Ajax – with duplicate jerseys presently obtainable in the club store – because his common No 14 was retired in honour of Cruyff.
’14 is my number but that’s not authorized below, I’ve discovered out! I understood it experienced been retired for Cruyff, which is comprehensible,’ Henderson explained.
‘No 6 is very good for me, it is really my son’s birthday and my father, when he was young, he performed No 6, so ideally it can be a good omen.’
Ajax legend Johan Cruyff, sporting a Juventus shirt, receives the European Cup in 1973. Ajax beat the Italian side 1- in the final in Belgrade, producing it a hat-trick of wins
Henderson lauded Ajax’s rich record as he gave an interview in their trophy room
He could make his debut when Ajax host RKC Waalwijk in the league on Sunday.
Shortly following his signing was declared, the England global took to social media to thank his former teammates and lovers and reveal his selection to leave the Saudi club.
‘I’m sad to say that I will be leaving Al-Ettifaq with rapid impact.’ He wrote on X, formerly Twitter. ‘It was not an uncomplicated selection but a person that I feel is most effective for me and my family members.
Ajax launched a sequence of pictures on their web-site with Jordan Henderson posing in their kit
Henderson claimed that the determination to depart the Saudi club just after only six months was finest for him advert his household
Henderson said that he decision to leave the Saudi cub was most effective for equally him and his spouse and children
‘I want to take this possibility to thank the club & the admirers for all the support all through my time. I seriously felt the adore from Day One. I am going to hold observing & hoping for your achievement. Superior luck for the potential.’
Ajax introduced the marquee seize in a online video that lauded his qualities as a chief and comfort actively playing in ‘red and white’ – owing to his early days with boyhood club Sunderland.
Ajax interim boss John van’t Schip advised the club’s web site: ‘We preferred an knowledgeable midfielder with management traits. Partly because of to injuries in the team, we had been looking for someone who could stage in quickly. Jordan Henderson is that style of participant.
‘His arrival means a enormous enhancement for our squad. The two on and off the pitch, a soccer player of this calibre is critical for our a lot of youthful players.
‘He’s an English international player and has received the Champions League and a lot of other prizes with Liverpool. I am content he’s right here.’