Brentford FC have confirmed the signing of former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson on a two-year contract. The 35-year-old midfielder, who recently parted ways with Ajax , returns to English football after two seasons abroad, bringing his vast experience and leadership to a Brentford side undergoing significant change.
A Strategic Signing for Brentford
Henderson’s arrival at the Gtech Community Stadium comes at a pivotal moment for Brentford. The club has faced a summer of transition, with the departure of long-standing head coach Thomas Frank to Tottenham Hotspur and the loss of captain Christian Norgaard to Arsenal. Additionally, key players like goalkeeper Mark Flekken and defender Ben Mee have moved on, leaving a leadership void that Henderson is expected to fill.
Jordan Henderson back in the @PremierLeague 🤩 pic.twitter.com/5dwRDVcZhs
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) July 15, 2025
New Brentford head coach Keith Andrews described the signing as a “pretty simple decision,” emphasizing Henderson’s pedigree as “one of the most influential leaders in modern Premier League years.” Andrews highlighted Henderson’s fitness and motivation, noting that the midfielder’s experience will be crucial in a revamped squad. “We did our due diligence around his recent games to see where he is. He’s still phenomenally fit and motivated to achieve things in the game,” Andrews said to Brentford's official website.
Henderson joins a Brentford side that has already bolstered its ranks with former Liverpool players Caoimhin Kelleher, Sepp van den Berg, and Fabio Carvalho, further strengthening the intriguing connection between the two clubs. The Bees have also added attacking midfielder Antoni Milambo, right-back Michael Kayode, and young talent Romelle Donovan to their squad this summer, signaling ambition despite the recent departures.
Henderson’s Journey Back to the Premier League
Jordan Henderson’s return to the Premier League follows a varied 18-month spell abroad. After leaving Liverpool in 2023 after 12 years, 492 appearances, and a trophy cabinet that includes the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and more, Henderson had a brief stint with Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League. He then moved to Ajax in January 2024, where he made 57 appearances and served as captain, though the Dutch giants fell short of the Eredivisie title in both seasons.
Despite interest from clubs across Europe, including Porto, Marseille, Nottingham Forest, and his boyhood club Sunderland, Henderson prioritized a return to the Premier League. His decision was driven by a desire to remain in contention for Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup. With 84 caps for the Three Lions and recent appearances under Tuchel, Henderson sees Brentford as the ideal platform to showcase his enduring quality.
