Jordan Henderson set to leave Saudi Arabia after six months

Jordan Henderson has agreed with Al Ettifaq to leave the Saudi Pro League club and is close to joining Ajax permanently, according to sources with knowledge of the deal.

The England international and his current side are finalising the termination of a three-year contract he signed last summer, ensuring no transfer fee will be involved in the midfielder’s exit.

Meanwhile, Henderson is flying back to the UK from Al Ettifaq’s winter training camp in Abu Dhabi, having agreed to a switch to Ajax in principle.

That proposed move also requires paperwork and details to be ironed out before the 33-year-old former Liverpool midfielder’s return to European football is complete after a brief stint in the SPL.

Henderson’s exit from Saudi Arabia comes just six months after his move from Anfield.

Henderson ended a 12-year stay at Liverpool last July to move to Saudi Arabia and in September, he defended his switch after widespread criticism, telling The Athletic in an exclusive interview that he wanted to “achieve something special and build a club and build the league”.

He played 17 times in the SPL, recording four assists for the side managed by former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard, but leaves midway through his first season for the club.