Jordan Henderson Seals Stunning Free Transfer Return to Premier League
Jordan Henderson is poised to return to Premier League action, with sources confirming he has secured a deal to sign with Brentford.
The 35-year-old midfielder departed Ajax this week after choosing not to activate a one-year contract extension, prioritizing a Premier League comeback as the former Liverpool skipper aims to secure his place in England's World Cup roster for next summer.
While there was speculation about a potential return to his childhood club Sunderland following their promotion to England's top division, The Athletic is among the media outlets confirming that an agreement has been finalized for Henderson's move to Brentford.
Henderson turned down multiple European opportunities to join Brentford, with both parties agreeing to a two-year deal for the experienced midfielder.
However, the official announcement is anticipated to be delayed until next week, as Henderson stated he would refrain from discussing his future immediately following the passing of former colleague Diogo Jota. Henderson was present among those honoring Jota at Anfield this week.
Henderson will arrive at Brentford as the direct successor to Christian Nørgaard, who departed for Arsenal, bringing veteran leadership during what promises to be a transformative season for the club.
Beyond Nørgaard's exit, Brentford has also seen manager Thomas Frank move to Tottenham Hotspur and first-choice keeper Mark Flekken transfer to Bayer Leverkusen. Additionally, key striker Bryan Mbeumo is pushing for a transfer to Manchester United.
Henderson contributes an impressive 431 Premier League appearances to Brentford's squad and will be eager to impress as he seeks to maintain his position in the England national team.
England's current manager Thomas Tuchel has reopened opportunities for Henderson after he was dropped by previous boss Gareth Southgate following his Liverpool exit in 2023. His brief and contentious period in Saudi Arabia lasted only six months before Henderson moved back to Europe for an 18-month tenure with Ajax.