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Jordan Henderson has said goodbye to his Ajax teammates ahead of a potential return to England.

The Amsterdam giants have agreed to terminate the midfielder's contract one year early and have now confirmed his departure.

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Henderson has said goodbye to his Ajax teammates and England could beckonCredit: Getty

The Three Lions international captained Ajax last season and had a contract that was due to run until June 2026, but he has been strongly linked with a move away in recent months.

Reports in the Netherlands claim that he was given extra time to decide on his future following the tragic death of former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota.

But after returning to the club’s training camp in Zeist, the player and club agreed to end his deal earlier as he informed the Ajax squad he won’t be playing with them for the 2025/26 season.

The Eredivisie club hailed the England star's influence his arrival from his brief stint in Saudi Arabia and paid a heartfelt farewell to their skipper.

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"Jordan was a true captain for us, both on and off the pitch," said Ajax technical director Alex Kroes in a statement.

"An international top player who, through his mentality and leadership qualities, made a significant contribution to our qualification for the UEFA Champions League and further development of Ajax’s elite sporting culture.

"Jordan has meant a great deal to Ajax, and we are grateful to him for that.

We wish him all the best as he continues his impressive career."

As a free agent Henderson has suitors in England and abroad, but could well return to boyhood side Sunderland.

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Having said his goodbyes to his Ajax teammates, Henderson added: "My family and I were made to feel so welcome, not just by the club but also in the wonderful city of Amsterdam.

However, I am fully aware that I owe this club, my teammates, and the supporters a fuller and more personal thank you.

I will, of course, do that when the time feels more appropriate. 

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Henderson could return to the Premier League after waving goodbye to Ajax

"For now, I want to express my appreciation to Ajax once again, as well as everyone I haven't had the chance to speak to in person yesterday, all of you who make this club so special."

talkSPORT earlier reported in May that Sunderland were considering re-signing their local hero following their promotion back to the Premier League.

The 35-year-old came through at the club’s academy, making 79 appearances from 2008 to 2011 before becoming the most successful captain in Liverpool’s history with eight trophy lifts on Merseyside.

The Reds would go on to cash in on Henderson in the summer of 2023, capitalising on the big spending Saudi Pro League by shipping him out for £12millon and midfield partner Fabinho for £40m.

Henderson’s landing spot was Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq, but he only lasted six months with his former Liverpool skipper before giving up his contract to return to Europe that January.

Refusing to criticise the league despite his family being unhappy, Henderson soon became integral at Ajax and helped lead them back to trophy contention after years of struggle.

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Henderson was involved in a angry press conference exchange after his Monaco move fell throughCredit: Ziggo

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Ajax were then involved in a humiliating title collapse under Francesco FarioliCredit: AFP

However, he and his teammates couldn’t finish the job last season, surrendering a nine-point Eredivisie lead to PSV with five games to play to see their rivals crowned champions instead.

The England regular also faced a chaotic few days to start 2025 when reports emerged that he’d agreed a deal with Ligue 1 side Monaco at the end of the January transfer window.

It was claimed he surrendered his captain’s armband and refused to play a Europa League clash with Galatasaray in an attempt to force the move, but Henderson angrily denied those reports in a heated ten-minute clash with journalists.

Monaco may still have an interest, as Sunderland do, while fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest have also been linked.

Yet Sunderland would clearly be the best story - Henderson was even present at Wembley to watch his old side beat Sheffield United in the play-off final and return to the top flight.

Summing up the emotions around such a deal, club legend and former chairman Niall Quinn told talkSPORT: "It's not my business to do anything but just comment on that.

He's a real sort of driver.

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"He went up to Liverpool, that first year was really tough and a year later, Jordan turned it all around and he was a huge influence.

"To see him lift that Champions League trophy, I think made everybody in Sunderland very proud."


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