Jordan Henderson Hailed As "Perfect Embodiment Of Ettifaq DNA" After Completing Transfer From Liverpool
Jordan Henderson was confirmed as an Al-Ettifaq player on Thursday.
Henderson's transfer from Liverpool ended a 12-year stint at Anfield, where he had been club captain since 2015.
Liverpool officially broke the news of Henderson's departure to Saudi Arabia by posting a 576-word tribute to the 33-year-old.
It concluded with the words: "As his Anfield chapter now comes to a close with a move to Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, everybody at Liverpool Football Club wishes to place on record their thanks and gratitude for everything Jordan Henderson did for the club during his 12 years as a Red."
The Premier League club later shared a 62-second video montage on social media to celebrate Henderson's Liverpool career.
Just minutes after Liverpool's statement was published, Al-Ettifaq also posted a video.
It too showed highlights from Henderson's Liverpool career, as well as images of him playing for Sunderland and England.
An English narrator in Al-Ettifaq's video said: "The hometown hero turned into a global star.
"A leader who inspires his teammates wherever he plays. Captain who sets an example in every training session and every match. The midfielder who made long-awaited success happen.
"Someone who runs towards fresh challenges rather than shys away.
"The perfect embodiment of Ettifaq DNA. Welcome to our club Jordan Henderson."
Neither club revealed how much Al-Ettifaq had paid Liverpool to buy Henderson.
But BBC Sport claimed that the deal was worth £12 million plus add-ons, while Sky Sports reported that the Saudi side had paid a fee worth around £13m.
It has been widely reported that Henderson's contract at Al-Ettifaq is worth more than triple the £200,000-per-week deal he was on at Anfield.
Jordan Henderson pictured wearing an Al-Ettifaq jersey in a video posted by the Saudi Pro League club on Thursday to announce his arrival from Liverpool
Twitter/@Ettifaq_EN
Henderson's move to Al-Ettifaq has reunited him with former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard, 43.
Gerrard was hired as Al-Ettifaq manager earlier this month.
Ettifaq's first game in the Saudi Pro League next season will be against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr on August 14.
Henderson will wear the no.10 jersey for his new team.
