Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has apologized to all who were offended after his decision to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq. However, he has not condemned the league he chose to leave for Ajax after just six months.
Henderson, 33, left Liverpool last summer along with other long-term servants Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Fabinho, as the club looked to rejuvenate Jürgen Klopp’s squad ahead of the new season.
Like many other players approaching the twilight of their professional careers, Henderson accepted a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League and joined Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq team.
Six months down the line, Henderson has cut his time in Saudi Arabia short after making just 17 appearances for the club across all competitions.
He has since signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Dutch club Ajax, who have already claimed his number six shirt is the fastest-selling player jersey across the history of the club.
Speaking in Amsterdam while being unveiled as an Ajax player, Henderson issued an open apology to anyone who was offended after he decided to move to the Middle East, having previously been vocal in his support for the LGBTQ+ community before his move.
“If anyone was offended or feel as though I upset them, that’s on me, that was my decision and I apologize for that. It was never my intention,” he said.
“I just want to look forward now and concentrate on being the best player I can for Ajax. My beliefs have never changed and never will. Again I can only apologize if people feel let down.
“I think a lot of people would like me to criticize the Saudi League, that’s not something I’m going to do. I have a lot of respect for them and those that made me feel welcome.”
Looking back on the decision he made at the time, he added:
“Looking back at the time, it was a big decision and one I felt was right for me. Things change quickly in football and I’m happy to make this decision [to come to Ajax] and I felt this opportunity too big to turn down for me.
“In life, if you want to call them regrets or mistakes you can but they’re only mistakes if you don’t learn from them and I learned a lot of things about Saudi. I haven’t got a bad word to say about anyone.
“I have friends over there I’ll speak to forever and there were still positives to come out of it. In the end it didn’t turn out the way we both wanted to, but it ended on great terms.”
