“I think a lot of people would like me to sit here and criticise the Saudi League and everything that went along with that. But that’s certainly not the case and something I am not going to do.”
“I have full respect for the league, for any fans of the club, for the people over there who really made me feel welcome. Unfortunately sometimes these things in life just don’t work out; in football and in life in general.”
“If any people from that community (LGBTQIA+) feel let down or hurt, I apologise. I did that six months ago, I’ll do it again. That was never my intention, I had to make a decision based on what I thought was best for me and my family, but I understood it at the same time.”
Jordan Henderson has signed for Eredivisie side Ajax after just a few months out in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq. The 33-year-old completely terminated his contract with Gerrard’s side and put pen to paper for a 2.5-year deal in Amsterdam.
Henderson spoke to the Dutch media today about his experience in Saudi Arabia: “It was very much a football decision (to leave Al-Ettifaq for Ajax). Of course, I have to make the decision based on what’s best for me and my family as well.”
“I haven’t changed as a person, I have the same beliefs… I actually do care about other people and I do think a lot about football and how I treat other people and have respect for other people.”
“So (criticism) does hurt of course, but at the same time I totally respect their opinions and how they view me as a person, obviously I had to take it on the chin. I’ve never tried to hurt anybody, that was never the intention.”, Jordan Henderson concluded.
Henderson’s former coach Jurgen Klopp also commented on the 33-year-old’s transfer to Ajax: “I’m happy for him as it looks like he’s happy and that’s the most important thing for me.”, the Liverpool manager said via The Independent.
“People are really critical of Hendo about the move; first there and now coming back. I don’t know how we dare? We are always judging these type of things. We have one life and we have to make decisions, sometimes our decisions are perfect in the first case and sometimes it is different after you made them.”
