Jordan Henderson Set for Premier League Return with Brentford Move

Jordan Henderson is on the verge of a Premier League return. The former Liverpool captain, now a free agent after his short spell at Ajax, is set to join Brentford on a two-year deal. He’s expected to undergo a medical on Friday, with the move likely to be wrapped up over the weekend.

At 35, Henderson had several options on the table after confirming his departure from Ajax earlier this week. Sunderland — his boyhood club — and Nottingham Forest were both keen on bringing him back to England. FC Porto, managed by Francesco Farioli (who coached Henderson briefly in the Netherlands), were also pushing for his signature. But Henderson has chosen west London and a new challenge with Brentford. He’ll be working under newly appointed head coach Keith Andrews, who stepped in after Thomas Frank made the move to Tottenham. It’s a fresh start for the Bees, who have seen some major changes this summer, including the departure of their captain and midfield anchor Christian Nørgaard to Arsenal. 

Brentford see Henderson as a key figure to help them steady the ship and maintain their identity in the Premier League. With 84 England caps and a Champions League winner’s medal to his name, his leadership and experience are expected to make a big difference on and off the pitch. There’s also a sense of reunion in this move. Henderson will be linking up with a few familiar faces from his Liverpool days — goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who signed for Brentford earlier this summer, as well as Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho, both of whom are now part of the squad. It’s a familiar environment for the former Reds skipper, which should help ease his transition. 

Although Henderson turned down the chance to remain in European competition with Porto, this move could work in his favor when it comes to international aspirations. With the 2026 World Cup looming, he’s hoping to stay sharp and relevant in Thomas Tuchel’s plans — and playing regularly in the Premier League is likely his best shot at that. 

Henderson had a mixed spell at Ajax, having joined midway through last season after his controversial move to Saudi Arabia with Al Ettifaq didn’t quite work out. But now, back in familiar territory, he’ll look to make a strong impact and add value to a Brentford side in transition. The Bees are counting on his leadership to guide a relatively young squad through what’s expected to be a competitive season. Henderson may be in the final stretch of his career, but he’s far from done — and Brentford are betting on just that. 

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