Ajax hand Sunderland boost over Jordan Henderson return in January

Ajax will apparently not block Jordan Henderson from returning to his former club Sunderland if he wishes to leave the Eredivisie club in January.

According to Football Insider, the Black Cats are negotiating to bring their former midfielder back to the Stadium of Light to support their promotion campaign.

Since joining Ajax on a free transfer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq in January, the former Premier League winner and England international has made 24 appearances for the Dutch club, where he is under contract until 2026.

According to Football Insider, the Black Cats could offer the 34-year-old a short-term contract until the end of the season, with a 12-month extension option.

Henderson could bolster Sunderland’s promotion push

The Black Cats have had a solid start to the season and presently sit top of the Championship table after nine games, with six wins and 19 points.

With new manager Regis Le Bris at the helm, the Stadium of Light outfit has genuine promotion credentials, which the arrival of Henderson would further strengthen.

During his time at Liverpool, the former Reds captain built a reputation as a serial winner, winning one FA Cup, one Premier League crown, two EFL Cups, and even the Champions League trophy, as well as leading the Merseyside giants to UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup triumphs.

While his impressive trophy collection says volumes about the Englishman’s football skill, his presence in the dressing room could be critical to the Black Cats’ quest for a return to the Premier League.

The North East club has not competed in the top level since being demoted to the Championship in 2017, and they also spent four seasons in League One before returning to the second tier in 2022.

While the Black Cats did make the Championship play-offs after an excellent 2022/23 season, the current campaign may be their best chance yet to return to the Premier League.

Henderson was at the vanguard of a Liverpool leadership group that experienced one of the best eras in the club’s rich history under Jurgen Klopp’s management, and he could pass on such a wealth of experience to a Black Cats squad competing for promotion.

While he is 34 years old and his greatest days are certainly behind him, Henderson might be a wise addition to Le Bris and his teammates in the push for Premier League football.

Furthermore, it could be argued that a player who has appeared in five Eredivisie games and seven Europa League games, including qualifiers, this season is still capable of establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in the Championship, especially given that his most recent Premier League appearance was less than 18 months ago.

Henderson’s career could have a fairytale ending

The England international began his career with Sunderland in 2008, followed by a loan spell at Coventry City in 2008/09.

He was then a fixture for the Black Cats during the 2009/10 and 2010/11 seasons before making the big transfer to Anfield, where he spent the majority of his career and achieved great success.

While many questioned Henderson’s decision to leave Anfield for the less renowned Saudi Pro League, no one could disagree that Henderson returning to the Stadium of Light and winning promotion with his first club after a great career would be one of football’s feel-good stories.

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