Liverpool have confirmed that club captain Jordan Henderson has completed his move to Al Ettifaq.
Henderson’s exit had been heavily rumoured for weeks before the midfielder confirmed the news himself on social media on Wednesday.
An official announcement from Liverpool did not arrive until after midday on Thursday, though, with the Anfield outfit paying tribute to their long-serving captain.
Henderson’s departure ends his 12-year stay at Anfield, during which time he captained the club to a sixth Champions League crown and a first Premier League title for 30 years.
“Liverpool Football Club can confirm Jordan Henderson has completed a transfer to Al-Ettifaq,” read a statement from the club.
“The move to the Saudi Pro League side sees the midfielder bring an end to his 12-year Reds career, during which he lifted eight trophies, all but one of which as club captain.
“As his Anfield chapter now comes to a close with a move to Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, everybody at Liverpool Football Club wishes to place on record their thanks and gratitude for everything Jordan Henderson did for the club during his 12 years as a Red.”
Henderson leaves Liverpool having made 492 appearances for the club in total, with only Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard – the man Henderson succeeded as captain and now the manager taking him to Al Ettifaq – making more Premier League outings for Liverpool.
During that time, Henderson scored 33 goals and helped Liverpool to win every top-tier trophy available to them – the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, two League Cups, the UEFA Super Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup and the Community Shield.
Liverpool are understood to have held out for a £12m fee for their skipper, who is reportedly set to earn as much as £700,000 a week in Saudi Arabia.
As well as his reunion with Gerrard, Henderson will link up with former Fulham, Celtic, Lyon and Atletico Madrid striker Moussa Dembele at Al Ettifaq.
