Jordan Henderson has joined Brentford on a two-year contract, marking his return to the Premier League after a stint with Ajax.
The 35-year-old England midfielder believes he still has room for improvement as a player, despite his wealth of experience.
Henderson spent 12 years with Liverpool, winning numerous titles including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cups. Henderson’s move to Brentford comes after his contract with Ajax was terminated a year early.
He had a tumultuous 18 months with the Dutch club, sparking controversy with his refusal to captain the side in a Europa League match against Galatasaray.
Despite this, Henderson has impressed in his limited time with Ajax, creating the joint-highest number of chances and completing the most passes and crosses.
Brentford manager Keith Andrews expressed confidence in Henderson’s abilities, citing his leadership skills and experience. “He’s still phenomenally fit and motivated to achieve things in the game,” Andrews said.
Henderson is expected to fill the void left by Christian Norgaard’s departure and drive standards within the squad. His international career has been illustrious, with 84 caps and appearances in three World Cups and three European Championships.
He was appointed an MBE in 2021 for his services to football and charity. Thomas Tuchel’s decision to recall Henderson to the England squad in March was seen as a vote of confidence in his abilities.
The midfielder has been effective in his time with Ajax, despite not playing as many full games as he’d have liked. He made significant contributions to the team, including tackles, interceptions, and passes. With his experience and skills, Henderson is expected to make a valuable addition to Brentford’s squad.
As Henderson embarks on this new chapter with Brentford, he remains focused on improving and helping his team succeed. “I try my best to pass on my experiences, especially to the younger players. But, at the same time, I still need to perform and do my job on the pitch” he said.
