Ornstein: Former Liverpool captain agrees free move to Brentford | OneFootball

Henderson Set for Premier League Return with Brentford After Ajax Exit

Veteran Midfielder Agrees Deal with Brentford

Jordan Henderson is poised to return to the Premier League with Brentford after agreeing to a free transfer following his contract termination at Ajax. As reported by David Ornstein in The Athletic, the 35-year-old has signed a two-year deal that will keep him at the west London club until 2027.

Brentford acted swiftly to secure Henderson’s services, identifying him as their “top target” once it became clear that captain Christian Norgaard was heading to Arsenal. With experience at the highest level and leadership both on and off the pitch, Henderson fits the brief of what Brentford need as they face a summer of significant transition.

Brentford Rebuild Gains Momentum

The Bees have seen their squad reshaped in a matter of weeks. Norgaard has departed, Bryan Mbeumo is seeking a move to Manchester United, and goalkeeper Mark Flekken has joined Bayer Leverkusen. Manager Thomas Frank also left in June to take over at Tottenham Hotspur.

Photo: IMAGO

In this context, Henderson arrives not just as a player, but as a stabilising figure. His 492 appearances for Liverpool, which include a Premier League title, Champions League triumph and multiple domestic cups, bring a weight of experience few in the division can match.

Personal Motivation Remains High

Despite his age, Henderson has no plans to slow down. According to The Athletic, the midfielder is “looking to try and make England’s 2026 World Cup squad” and has already earned a recall under new England boss Thomas Tuchel. His 84th cap came in a recent win over Andorra, showing he remains in the frame.

The formal announcement of his move is expected next week, delayed out of respect for the late Diogo Jota and his family.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

It is bittersweet to see Henderson return to the Premier League in another shirt. His departure from the club was already a moment of emotional closure, but this move confirms he is still hungry for the game, still convinced he has something to offer.

What makes this move so intriguing is the choice of Brentford. It is not a glamour club or a nostalgic lap of honour. It is a project. A club in transition, a team that has lost its leader and now welcomes another. Henderson, for all the criticisms he faced during his late Liverpool years and the Saudi stint, still represents professionalism, discipline and a sense of pride in his work.

The idea of him mentoring a younger Brentford squad, guiding them through a turbulent rebuild, makes sense. He may not have the legs of five years ago, but he has the intelligence, composure and voice that this squad will need.

Will he succeed? That depends on the system around him. But few players in English football carry a CV like his, and if Brentford are to stabilise after so much upheaval, Henderson could be the calming presence they need.