Brentford have announced the signing of Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup-winning captain Jordan Henderson.
The 35-year-old joins the Bees as a free agent on a two-year deal after mutually agreeing to terminate his contract with Ajax a year early this month.
He spent 18 months with the four-time European champions and captained the side since the start of last season, having originally left Liverpool for a move to Saudi Arabia with Al Ettifaq six months prior.
After a disastrous first half of the season at the club upon his arrival in January 2024, last season he led the team to the Europa League Round of 16 and a second-place finish in the Eredivisie.
“When we became aware of Jordan’s availability, it was a pretty simple decision,” Said Keith Andrews in a club statement.
“We did our due diligence around his recent games to see where he is: he’s still phenomenally fit and he’s still phenomenally motivated to achieve things in the game, having already achieved a lot.”
Capped 84 times by England since his debut in 2010, Henderson has played a part in the Three Lions reaching a World Cup semi-final in 2018 and a European Championship final in 2021, scoring off the bench in a 4-0 quarter-final win over Ukraine en route.
The veteran central midfielder returns to England after two years abroad and adds considerable experience to a Brentford squad in need of seniority after key departures this summer.
Head coach Thomas Frank has left the club after seven years in charge to move to Tottenham Hotspur, while Christian Norgaard has joined Arsenal, Mark Flekken has moved to Bayer Leverkusen, and Ben Mee has left upon the expiration of his contract.
44-year-old Keith Andrews was appointed as Frank’s successor in June, in what is the Irishman’s first senior managerial role, and he enters pre-season with a squad that possesses one player over 30 years old.
“With the void of experienced players leaving the building – Christian Nørgaard, Mark Flekken and Ben Mee – it was important to replace that,” Andrews added.
“What Jordan will bring is that he has been one of the most influential leaders in modern Premier League years. He’s been at the forefront of driving for titles and Champions Leagues at a fantastic football club.
“He will drive standards and be a brilliant addition to the squad.”
Henderson will become the most decorated player to play for the club, having captained Liverpool to six major honours by winning the Champions League, Premier League, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup.
During a 12-year period at Anfield, he also led them to three Champions League finals, made 492 appearances in all competitions, contributing 33 goals and 58 assists, and lifted the Reds’ first league title in 30 years in 2020.
The midfielder becomes the second signing of the Andrews era following the addition of Antoni Milambo from Feyenoord earlier in the month for a reported fee of £16 million plus £4.25 million in add-ons.
Brentford have also activated the purchase options for loanees Michael Kayode (Fiorentina) and Romelle Donovan (Birmingham City) this summer, alongside signing Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
An MBE recipient for his services to charity, Henderson’s arrival adds vast experience and leadership to the squad ahead of the Bees’ fifth consecutive Premier League campaign.