Brentford secure Premier League return for Jordan Henderson on free transfer
The 35-year-old midfielder recently left Ajax by mutual consent and has reached a verbal agreement with Brentford over a two-year deal that runs until 2027.
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Although Henderson had interest from clubs across Europe, a move back to England was always his priority.
Brentford moved swiftly to secure his signature and are now preparing for his medical, with formalities expected to be finalised in the coming days.
An official announcement is not expected until next week, as a mark of respect to the family of Diogo Jota, following the tragic passing of the former Liverpool forward.
This marks the latest chapter in a busy and transformative summer at Brentford. They are undergoing significant change following the departure of Thomas Frank and several senior players.
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Henderson was identified early as a replacement for Christian Norgaard, who joined Arsenal earlier this month.
Brentford view the England international as an ideal fit both on and off the pitch, with his leadership qualities and experience making him a valuable addition during this period of transition.
The veteran midfielder remains part of the England set-up, recently earning his 84th cap. He hopes to stay in contention for the 2026 World Cup under new manager Thomas Tuchel.
He arrives at Brentford with a decorated CV, having made 492 appearances for Liverpool during a 12-year spell at Anfield.
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He won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup before leaving in 2023.
Brentford have already welcomed Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool this summer, adding to a growing group of former Reds alongside Fabio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg.
New manager Keith Andrews, who succeeded Frank in June, will now lean on Henderson to help steady the squad amid further uncertainty.
Bryan Mbeumo is pushing to join Manchester United, and Mark Flekken has left for Bayer Leverkusen. Ben Mee was released at the end of his contract.
Henderson is expected to slot into the midfield alongside Vitaly Janelt or Yehor Yarmoliuk and support Mikkel Damsgaard in a creative role.
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His presence is a mentoring opportunity for Turkey Under-21 international Yunus Emre Konak.
As Brentford reshape their identity, Henderson brings a wealth of experience to a dressing room that has lost some of its most trusted voices.
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