Jordan Henderson’s Saudi nightmare is officially over! Ajax announce signing of ex-Liverpool captain just six months after failed transfer to Al-Ettifaq

Henderson and Al-Ettifaq agreed to terminate the England international's contract after he was unable to settle in to life at the Saudi side following his move from Liverpool in July. He has since agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Dutch giants Ajax.

A statement from Ajax read: "Ajax has reached an agreement with Jordan Henderson on his transfer to Amsterdam. The midfielder played for Al-Ettifaq in the past six months. The player, who has 81 caps for the English national team, recently agreed to terminate his contract with the club from Saudi Arabia."

Al-Ettifaq announced the termination of his contract on Thursday as Ajax confirmed his signing. Speaking of his time in Saudi Arabia, Henderson said: "I’d like to thank the club, the fans and all involved for the opportunity and wish them the best for the remainder of the season. A lot of hard work is going in which I know will pay off in the future."

Henderson left Liverpool to join former Reds hero Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq. However, the venture to the Middle East did not go as planned as Al-Ettifaq have won just six of their 19 Saudi Pro League matches, leaving them eighth in the table. The decision to leave the club is reported to have cost Henderson a fortune, as he is said to have not been paid by the club after agreeing to defer payments on his £350,000 per week contract and it is reported that he will not receive any of the money.

Henderson, who will wear the No. 6 for Ajax, will hope to get back on top form now that he has traded Saudi Arabia for Netherlands. The 33-year-old could feature when the Amsterdam side face RKC Waalwijk in the Eredivisie on Sunday.