Henderson lauds Ajax’s ‘unimaginable’ historical past as he joins Dutch giants
- England midfielder has signed two-and-a-half yr deal with Dutch giants
- He was filmed trying across the membership museum and reeling off legends
- Football is altering… managers cannot depend on their fame. Just have a look at the Golden Generation – It’s All Kicking Off
Jordan Henderson has stated he desires so as to add to Ajax’s wealthy historical past after he was unveiled by the Dutch membership following his transfer again to Europe from Saudi Arabia.
The England midfielder toured the membership’s museum and spoke about Ajax legends after terminating his contract with Al-Ettifaq following an unsettled six months there.
Henderson, 33, has signed for Ajax on a two-and-a-half yr deal and shall be tasked with turning round a nightmare season for the Amsterdam membership.
Ajax sit a lowly fifth within the Eredivisie, some 23 factors behind runaway leaders PSV Eindhoven, had been knocked out the Dutch Cup by amateurs USV Hercules and bombed out the Europa League into the Conference League.
But ex-Liverpool man Henderson invoked Ajax’s wealthy previous as he stated: ‘When I used to be a child, there have been clearly a whole lot of nice gamers that performed for Ajax. I can bear in mind [Clarence] Seedorf, [Frank] Rijkaard, [Marco] Van Basten, [Johan] Cruyff, Zlatan [Ibrahimovic].
Former Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson has joined Ajax on a two-and-a-half yr deal
England midfielder Henderson was filmed trying round Ajax’s museum after he signed
Henderson was happy to see shirts along with his identify and new No 6 on sale within the membership retailer
‘Then clearly extra just lately, [Luis] Suarez, as a result of I’m associates with him as nicely, so there are such a lot of nice gamers who’ve performed for this membership, which is why it is one of many greatest on the planet.
‘So I’m simply so excited to be right here and to see all this historical past is unimaginable actually.
‘Ajax as a soccer membership, it speaks for itself with the world class gamers which have performed right here for a lot of, a few years.
‘Once I knew there was a possibility, I used to be excited and overwhelmed that this chance was there for me. It was one thing that I needed to attempt to make occur. It’s very humbling for me to be right here.’
Henderson will put on the No 6 shirt at Ajax – with reproduction jerseys already obtainable within the membership store – as a result of his common No 14 was retired in honour of Cruyff.
’14 is my quantity however that is not allowed right here, I’ve came upon! I knew it had been retired for Cruyff, which is comprehensible,’ Henderson stated.
‘No 6 is nice for me, it is my son’s birthday and my dad, when he was youthful, he performed No 6, so hopefully it is a good omen.’
Ajax legend Johan Cruyff, carrying a Juventus shirt, receives the European Cup in 1973. Ajax beat the Italian aspect 1-0 within the remaining in Belgrade, making it a hat-trick of wins
Henderson lauded Ajax’s wealthy historical past as he gave an interview of their trophy room
He may make his debut when Ajax host RKC Waalwijk within the league on Sunday.
Shortly after his signing was introduced, the England worldwide took to social media to thank his former teammates and followers and clarify his choice to go away the Saudi membership.
‘I’m unhappy to say that I shall be leaving Al-Ettifaq with instant impact.’ He wrote on X, previously Twitter. ‘It wasn’t a straightforward choice however one which I really feel is greatest for me and my household.
Ajax launched a collection of pictures on their web site with Jordan Henderson posing of their equipment
Henderson claimed that the choice to go away the Saudi membership after solely six months was greatest for him advert his household
Henderson stated that he choice to go away the Saudi cub was greatest for each him and his household
‘I need to take this chance to thank the membership & the followers for all of the help throughout my time. I actually felt the love from Day One. I’ll maintain watching & hoping to your success. Good luck for the longer term.’
Ajax introduced the marquee seize in a video that lauded his skills as a pacesetter and luxury enjoying in ‘crimson and white’ – owing to his early days with boyhood membership Sunderland.
Ajax interim boss John van’t Schip informed the membership’s web site: ‘We needed an skilled midfielder with management qualities. Partially because of accidents within the crew, we had been in search of somebody who may step in instantly. Jordan Henderson is that sort of participant.
‘His arrival means an enormous enhancement for our squad. Both on and off the pitch, a soccer participant of this calibre is necessary for our many younger gamers.
‘He’s an English worldwide participant and has received the Champions League and plenty of different prizes with Liverpool. I’m joyful he is right here.’
