In a press conference at the Johan Cruyff Arena, Jordan Henderson expressed his apologies to the LGBTQ community for any disappointment or hurt caused by his transfer from Liverpool to Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia. The midfielder, who recently terminated his contract with Al-Ettifaq, was introduced as Ajax's new player.

Henderson's decision to play in Saudi Arabia sparked criticism from the LGBTQ community in England, where he had previously shown his support for inclusivity by wearing rainbow-colored laces as part of an initiative by the LGBTQ campaign group Stonewall. The backlash escalated to the extent that he was booed by England fans at Wembley during a friendly match against Australia shortly after his move.

Now joining Ajax, a club known for its long-standing support and tolerance for the LGBTQ community, Henderson sought to address the concerns raised by his transfer. He apologized to anyone who felt let down by his decision, emphasizing that it was never his intention to cause harm.

When asked if he regretted moving to the Saudi league, Henderson remained evasive, stating that mistakes are only mistakes if one fails to learn from them. The 33-year-old midfielder, who is the highest-profile recruit to quit the Saudi league, shared his thoughts on whether his former Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah should follow suit by advising against it, saying, "Definitely not."

Henderson's transfer to Amsterdam comes with certain limitations, as he will not be wearing the captain's armband or the number 14 shirt, which he wore during his time at Liverpool. The number 14 shirt was retired in honor of Ajax legend Johan Cruyff.

This move to Ajax signifies a significant pay cut for Henderson, as salaries at the Dutch club are lower compared to other major European leagues. However, Ajax has increased wages in recent years to remain competitive with big-spending clubs elsewhere in Europe.

Amidst the challenges faced by Ajax this season, including a slow start, the club hopes that Henderson's addition to the midfield will help them regain their form and compete for titles. However, runaway leader PSV Eindhoven, with a perfect record of 17 wins in 17 Eredivisie matches, remains a formidable obstacle for Ajax, currently sitting in fifth place.

While Henderson's motivations for joining Ajax were questioned, the midfielder denied that it had anything to do with avoiding a large tax bill in England, emphasizing that it was solely a football decision.

With his return to European soccer, Henderson also hopes to catch the attention of England national team coach Gareth Southgate and be considered for a spot in the squad for the upcoming European Championship in Germany.

As Henderson begins his journey with Ajax, he looks to leave behind the controversies surrounding his move to Saudi Arabia and focus on his contribution to the team's success in the remainder of the season.