Henderson to Sunderland: Which shirt number could Ajax captain wear?
Jordan Henderson could be set for a sensational return to Sunderland this summer.
Henderson, 35, left the Black Cats to join Liverpool in 2011 after making 79 appearances in all competitions.
Following Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League, the former Reds captain has been touted for a return to the Stadium of Light.
Regis Le Bris’ side are the favourites to re-sign the Englishman, but are set to face competition from Nottingham Forest and Marseille for Henderson’s signature.
As the England international’s exit from Ajax looks imminent, a side note will be which shirt number he would take should a move materialise.
Henderson’s potential shirt number at Sunderland
Henderson’s first option is the No.6 shirt, synonymous with some of the best defensive midfielders in football.
The No.6 shirt at Sunderland was free during the 2024/25 season while Timothee Pembele was out on loan at Le Havre.
Pembele, 22, has returned to Wearside, but his future at the Stadium of Light is uncertain.
Should the Frenchman depart, Henderson would be a great candidate to take up his shirt number, having worn it for the past two seasons at Ajax.
One option currently vacant for next season is No.7, which has become open since Jobe Bellingham’s departure to Borussia Dortmund.
The No.7 shirt is usually reserved for wingers, but in recent years, midfielders have begun to take up this number.
The Ajax captain also has the option of No.4, but captain Dan Neil currently holds that number at the Black Cats.
Neil is subject to interest from both Roma and Everton, and any departure from Wearside would allow the former Premier League winner to take up the vacant number.
Henderson’s shirt number history
Henderson is known for wearing the No.14 shirt, in which he won all of his trophies at Anfield.
During his 18 months in Amsterdam, he donned the No.6 shirt, while he wore the No.10 shirt during his short spell at Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia.
In his early career, the midfielder wore the No.18 while on loan at Coventry City, while his first spell on Wearside saw him wear both No.10 and No.16.
Internationally, Henderson has only worn three shirt numbers for the Three Lions: No.4, No.8, and No.14.
His famous No.14 shirt looks to be off the cards, with the current No.14 Romaine Mundle locked in contract talks with the Stadium of Light hierarchy.
His numbers from his first spell are also occupied by Patrick Roberts (No.10) and Blondy Nna Noukeu (No.16).
Unless the Englishman takes the No.6 shirt, should Pembele leave, he will likely need to find a new shirt number for his potential long-awaited homecoming.