Saudi Pro League chief makes big claim about Jordan Henderson signing

Jordan Henderson had a short stint in Saudi Arabia this season (Picture: Getty Images)

The vice-chairman of the Saudi Pro League believes Jordan Henderson was one of the best signings last summer, despite the midfielder already leaving for Ajax.

The 33-year-old Al Ettifaq from Liverpool last summer, signing a three-year contract, but he moved on after just six months.

His deal was cancelled and he has signed for Ajax on a permanent contract after making 17 league appearances in Saudi Arabia, without scoring a goal.

It was a headline-grabbing move to Saudi Arabia for Henderson but the spell on the pitch was almost entirely forgettable, but Saad Al Lazeez reckons it was still one of the best signings in the division.

The Saudi Pro League vice-chairman told the Financial Times Business of Football Summit on Wednesday: ‘Jordan Henderson, even though he left, was one of the best signings in the Saudi Pro League.

‘We signed 93 players in the summer window, and I would say 28 to 30 of them would be in anybody’s list of the top 300 players, and you don’t expect all of them to stay.

‘Sometimes things do not work out, sometimes the player does not adapt, you expect those things to happen.

Henderson is now playing for struggling Ajax(Picture: Getty Images)

‘But I still maintain Jordan Henderson was one of our best signings, we benefited a great deal from his signing, we’re learning a lot of lessons and we will continue to grow from there.

‘We have been with Jordan throughout his journey from the day we signed him in the UK. We still maintain a good relationship with him. He’s a great guy, a great person. It just did not work out. So that’s life.’

Henderson has played four matches for Ajax since moving to Amsterdam but is yet to be on the winning side, playing in three draws and one defeat.

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