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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><ul><li>Seko Fofana joins Al-Ettifaq</li><li>Leaves Al-Nassr on six-month loan</li><li>Seen as a replacement for Henderson</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Steven Gerrard has his Jordan Henderson replacement! Seko Fofana leaves Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr for Al-Ettifaq on loan

Saudi Pro League

Al-Ettifaq

Al Akhdoud

Al Nassr FC

Al Hilal

<p>The 28-year-old is presently playing for Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/senegal-out-afcon-defending-champions-beaten-ivory-coast-franck-kessie-winning-penalty-quarter-final/blt95961a7f6d42ac57" target="_blank">After a 1-1 draw against Senegal</a> in extra time, Fofana's side advanced to the round of eight with a shootout victory. He'll join Al-Ettifaq on a six-month loan upon his return to Saudi Arabian club football.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Ivorian elephant joins the Commandos 🇨🇮<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ettifaq?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ettifaq</a> 💚❤️ <a href="https://t.co/PAFWy7gwKz">pic.twitter.com/PAFWy7gwKz</a></p>— Ettifaq Club (@Ettifaq_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ettifaq_EN/status/1752428109331145140?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Gerrard has had his sights set on Fofana for some time, however, the Englishman's club couldn't afford the wages of the Ivorian. However, Henderson's <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/shameless-jordan-henderson-saudi-pro-league-nightmare-leave-al-ettifaq-six-months/bltd97fac20a08a8c47" target="_blank">much-discussed exit to Ajax</a>, opened up the required budget for Fofana and a few other signings that the club has announced over the last few days.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Al-Nassr are second in the Saudi Pro League after 19 games, seven points behind runaway leaders Al-Hilal. Meanwhile <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/steven-gerrard-managerial-career-disappearing-awful-al-ettifaq-run/blt884b36f3305c7c2a#cs0b9630f90cbaf909" target="_blank">Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq have struggled in the league</a> as they sit eighth, 21 points behind Ronaldo's side. Fofana has his work cut out to perform for Gerrard if they want to move up the table.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>The Ivorian will be focused fully on his nation's preparations for their quarter-final clash in the Africa Cup of Nations against Mali on February 3. After that, inspiring Gerrard's side to some better results will be at the top of his priorities. </p>

WHAT NEXT FOR FOFANA?

Steven Gerrard has his Jordan Henderson replacement! Seko Fofana leaves Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr for Al-Ettifaq on loan | Goal.com Nigeria

Al-Nassr midfielder Seko Fofana has joned Steven Gerrard&apos;s Al-Ettifaq on loan as replacement for Jordan Henderson.

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