Henderson all smiles on first day at Ajax as new team smash Liverpool U18s 10-0

24 January 2024 , 22:31

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Jordan Henderson was all smiles as he trained with Ajax for the first time (Image: Ajax FC)

Jordan Henderson enjoyed his first training session at Ajax on Wednesday, following his return to Europe following an ill-fated spell in Saudi Arabia.

Henderson made a controversial move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq last summer, signing a bumper three-year deal. However, the England international lasted just six months and completed a move to Ajax earlier this month.

And Henderson took part in training for the first time on Wednesday, having now been granted a work permit which means he could feature in Ajax's upcoming Eredivisie clash against Heracles this weekend. Following Henderson's first training session alongside his new teammates, Ajax's U18s side took on the youth side of his former club Liverpool in a friendly match in Amsterdam.

And Ajax ruthlessly thrashed Liverpool 10-0, with Don-Angelo Konadu scoring four goals. Skye Vink, Jan Faberski, Don O'Niel and Lucas Jetten were also on target for the Dutch giants.

Henderson, meanwhile, is looking forward to making his Ajax debut after a "difficult" year. He told club media: "It's been a difficult year or so for the club, both on and off the field, but that's the same for me in the past six months.

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"So hopefully we can help each other, come together and try and be as successful as possible in the near future. It's been a bit of a whirlwind. A crazy few days but I'm just excited now to be here and to be able to start a new chapter in my life and in my career.

"I'm so excited to be here and part of this club." And manager John van 't Schip is delighted to have added Henderson to his squad, with Ajax currently fifth in the Eredevisie.

Ajax's U18s beat Liverpool 10-0 in a friendly on Wednesday

"We wanted an experienced midfielder with leadership qualities," Van 't Schip added. "Partly due to injuries, we were also looking for someone who can be there immediately. Jordan Henderson is such a player.

"His arrival means a major boost in quality for our selection. Both on and off the field, a footballer of his calibre is also important for the many young players.

"He is an English international and has won the Champions League and many other trophies with Liverpool. I am happy with his arrival and I think it is very good for our club that he is an Ajax player from today."

Matthew Cooper