Jordan Henderson completes move to Dutch club Ajax in blow to Saudi soccer league

AMSTERDAM (AP) — The lucrative Saudi soccer league has lost one of its high-profile players. England midfielder Jordan Henderson has quit Al-Ettifaq to sign for struggling Dutch powerhouse Ajax. The former Liverpool captain lasted just six months in Saudi Arabia after joining the influx of top players, led by Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, moving to the kingdom on big-money deals. That wasn’t enough for the 33-year-old Henderson, who reportedly hasn’t settled in the Middle East and saw a return to European soccer as important in consolidating his place in England’s squad ahead of the summer’s European Championship. Ajax confirmed the deal Thursday night. Henderson signed a contract through June 30, 2026, with the Amsterdam club. Financial details were not released.