Former Liverpool captain and England international Jordan Henderson has signed a two-year contract with Brentford, marking his return to the Premier League after a two-year absence. The 35-year-old midfielder, who parted ways with Ajax earlier this summer, joins as a free agent, bringing a wealth of experience and leadership to a Brentford side navigating a period of transition. The move, confirmed on July 15, 2025, has been hailed as a statement of intent from the West London club, with new head coach Keith Andrews describing Henderson as “one of the most influential leaders in modern Premier League years.”
Henderson’s arrival comes at a pivotal moment for Brentford, who have undergone significant changes this summer. The departure of captain Christian Norgaard to Arsenal and head coach Thomas Frank to Tottenham Hotspur left the Bees in need of stability and experience. Henderson, with 431 Premier League appearances and a trophy cabinet that includes the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and more, is seen as the ideal candidate to fill the void. His signing also reunites him with former Liverpool teammates Fabio Carvalho, Sepp van den Berg, and Caoimhin Kelleher, who have all joined Brentford from Anfield in the past year, further strengthening the club’s Merseyside connection.
“When I was given the opportunity by Brentford and after speaking with the club, it became an easy decision,” Henderson said in an interview with Brentford’s official channels. “I’ve always had huge admiration for the club and what they’ve achieved over the last few years, in particular, how they’ve grown as a club. It’s very family-oriented, which I think is very important. After a couple of years away, I still have that fire to come back and play in the Premier League again.” His words reflect a determination to prove he remains a force at the elite level, despite his age and recent spells in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq and the Eredivisie with Ajax.
Brentford’s new head coach, Keith Andrews, was quick to highlight the significance of the signing. “When we became aware of Jordan’s availability, it was a pretty simple decision,” Andrews told the club’s website. “Jordan has been one of the most influential leaders in modern Premier League years. His professionalism and experience will help guide a relatively young squad and ensure standards remain high.” Andrews, who replaced Frank last month, faces the challenge of maintaining Brentford’s competitive edge in the Premier League, especially with interest from Manchester United in star forward Bryan Mbeumo adding uncertainty to the squad.
Henderson’s journey back to the Premier League has not been without its challenges. After leaving Liverpool in 2023 for a controversial move to Al-Ettifaq, where he played under former teammate Steven Gerrard, Henderson faced criticism, particularly given his prior advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. His stint in Saudi Arabia lasted just six months before he joined Ajax in January 2024, where he captained the side but struggled for consistent starts, making 30 league appearances. Despite being left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad under Gareth Southgate, Henderson was recalled by new Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel in March 2025, offering him a platform to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup squad.
For Brentford, Henderson’s signing is more than just a replacement for Norgaard, who set a high bar with 201 interceptions and 844 recoveries in the Premier League since 2021. Henderson’s leadership qualities and ability to organize the midfield are expected to provide stability, while his presence in the dressing room will mentor younger players like Turkey Under-21 international Yunus Emre Konak. “Jordan is an example… he personifies the values we want to have here,” Ajax’s former technical director Alex Kroes once said, a sentiment echoed by Brentford supporters online. One fan account, @brentfordfchub, posted on X: “He brings a lot of experience to the field and especially to the dressing room. Even if he doesn’t play much, he would definitely be helpful for our young squad and could also be a captain if needed.”