Jordan Henderson to LEAVE Ajax as ex-Liverpool captain decides not to take up contract extension option amid Premier League return rumours

Henderson was reportedly told back in June he would be free to leave Ajax this summer, having moved to Amsterdam in January last year after a brief spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq. Now, The Times' Paul Joyce has revealed the former Liverpool captain is set for a new challenge after deciding to exercise an exit clause in his contract instead of taking up an extension option with the Dutch giants.

Henderson is long in the tooth at 35 years of age but doesn't look ready to call time on his career just yet. A homecoming at Sunderland has been mooted - he made 79 appearances for the Black Cats before his move to Anfield - while Marseille are also thought to hold an interest in the Premier League and Champions League winner. He also remains in England contention, having been included in Thomas Tuchel's squad for the June matches against Andorra and Senegal, and will be keen to make the Three Lions squad for the World Cup next year.

Henderson could not inspire Ajax to any silverware during his year and a half in the Netherlands. They were nine points clear at the top of the Eredivisie table at the end of March but collapsed in remarkable fashion to throw away their lead and finish second, with PSV Eindhoven instead lifting the trophy.

After 57 matches with Ajax, Henderson is now a free agent and will be able to consider offers ahead of the 2025-26 season. Given Sunderland lost Jobe Bellingham soon after their promotion to the Premier League was confirmed, a move for their former hometown hero could make for the ideal addition to Regis Le Bris' squad.