Jordan Henderson ‘is set to leave Ajax as a free agent’ after just one-and-a-half seasons at the Dutch giants – and six months on from Liverpool legend’s failed move to Monaco

Jordan Henderson is set to leave Ajax after just one-and-a-half seasons at the Dutch giants, according to reports. 

The former Liverpool captain made the move to Amsterdam mere months after his abortive big-money move to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ettifaq in the summer of 2023. 

After struggling to settle in the Gulf state, Henderson was handed the captain’s armband at Ajax amid a challenging period for the side. 

Just one year on, Henderson was dogged by suggestions that he was set to move on for the third time since leaving Anfield, with a transfer to Ligue 1 side Monaco reportedly in the works. 

The 35-year-old was believed to have gone as far as refusing to wear the armband in a bid to agitate a move, but Ajax chiefs snuffed out speculation that he would leave in January this year with a definitive statement shortly before the window shut. 

But six months later, as per the Times, Henderson will begin the process of looking for a new club. 

Since moving to the Dutch capital, Henderson appears to have played his way back into the England squad

Head coach Thomas Tuchel has praised his ‘character, personality, and energy’ after his shock return to the set-up in March

According to the outlet, Henderson has opted not to take up the option to extend his contract through next season, and is set to leave the Johan Cruyff Arena as a free agent. 

The midfielder has played 57 games for the Dutch side, and scored his only goal for his team in his final appearance, a 2-0 win against FC Twente on the last day of the season. 

Henderson had been poised to seal a second title win with the captain’s armband in the Eredivisie, before a late collapse at the business end of the season which saw his side eventually finish between league leaders PSV Eindhoven. 

But his performances in Amsterdam have been enough for the veteran to play his way into England head coach Thomas Tuchel’s plans. 

Henderson was left out of the squad under Gareth Southgate for last summer’s European Championship, and by interim manager Lee Carsley in the autumn. 

But Tuchel raised eyebrows in March when he named Henderson in a surprise move for his first Three Lions squad. 

Keen to justify his decision in his opening press conference, Tuchel pointed out the midfielder’s ‘character, personality, and energy that he brings to the team’. 

Henderson had previously made his last appearance amid a volley of boos and fan protests in 2023, shortly after starting his brief career in Saudi Arabia.