Having failed to settle in Saudi Arabia, Jordan Henderson has completed a move to Ajax.
Henderson left for the Middle East after 12 years at Anfield that saw the 33-year-old lift the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup, even deputising as England captain on occasion, though his move to Saudi Arabia drew plenty of controversy, as did his continued inclusion in the England squad.
But while manager Gareth Southgate has a large number of players he’s happy to select regardless of form, Henderson playing in a vastly inferior league combined with the Three Lions’ midfield options would surely have counted against him when selecting his Euros squad, and may have been a factor in Henderson's return to Europe.
Indeed, Henderson said following his move to the Netherlands: “I’ve always got the Euros and England in mind. It is a big thing playing for my country. That has been always been the case wherever I’ve played.
“Ultimately I’ve got to be doing my job on the pitch for Ajax and then hopefully I’ll be called up for England.”
Reports emerged that Henderson and his family were struggling to settle in the Middle East, and that the standard of facilities weren't up to scratch, while games could be played in front of hundreds - rather than thousands - of fans, hastening the former Liverpool's skipper's exit.