Jordan Henderson ready for Sunderland return despite Ajax contract news
Sunderland have returned to the Premier League after an eight-year absence, and will be aiming to strengthen their squad immediately.
Regis Le Bris achieved promotion with a young squad filled with bright talents, but he will need experience in his team if they are to stand a chance at survival.
Sunderland recorded dramatic late wins in both stages of the play-offs to make their long-awaited return to the top flight, and another return could now be in order.
Jordan Henderson became one of Sunderland’s most successful academy graduates as a Champions League winner with Liverpool, and he could now make a sensational comeback.
Henderson open to Sunderland return
Henderson has spent the last year and a half at Ajax and helped them challenge for the Eredivisie title, but they fell just one point short of PSV Eindhoven.
The 34-year-old could now leave Ajax this summer despite having one year left on his contract, but he would need to be enticed by a move.
The former Liverpool captain has been linked with a return to the Stadium of Light, and he could say yes to coming back to where he started his career.
| 2024/25 | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes |
| Jordan Henderson | 28 | 1 | 4 | 1872 |
Ben Jacobs has now reported that Henderson is “open” to returning home amid other interest, and that the Sunderland hierarchy is well aware that he could leave Ajax, despite his contract still running.
Henderson can offer Sunderland experience
Sunderland’s recruitment in recent years has targeted younger players, and they became the youngest-ever squad to achieve promotion from the Championship.
However, they will need to stray away from this policy in certain cases to bring in some much-needed Premier League experience, and Henderson can certainly provide that.
The midfielder could arrive and instantly become a leader in the dressing room, and with 431 Premier League games under his belt, few know the league better than he does.
Henderson has made 57 appearances for Ajax, and would still carry a strong level of match sharpness should he return to England, and would be a very useful signing even if he is not starting every week.
It is time to make this happen.