Jordan Henderson's Ajax Debut Faces Potential Delay Due to Brexit

The highly anticipated debut of Jordan Henderson for Ajax may face a temporary setback due to complications arising from Brexit-related regulations. The England international recently inked a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Dutch club following the mutual termination of his contract with Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia. Despite his preference for the No. 14 shirt, Henderson will don the No. 6 jersey for Ajax. Notably, he observed Ajax’s recent 4-1 victory over RKC Waalwijk from the stands, but there’s a chance he might have to wait a bit longer before taking to the field.

New post-Brexit rules dictate that Ajax must await the approval of Henderson’s work permit before he can actively participate in training or matches with his new teammates. Although there is optimism surrounding the permit’s approval, the process might extend up to two weeks. This prospective delay could potentially leave the former Sunderland academy graduate in a state of uncertainty until Ajax’s crucial encounter against Eredivisie leaders PSV on February 3.

Despite not having made a competitive appearance for Ajax, Henderson has already left a significant mark off the field. His jersey has become the fastest-selling in the club’s history, surpassing the previous records held by Dusan Tadic and Daley Blind. The sales of Henderson’s shirt within 24 hours reportedly exceeded the combined sales of Tadic and Blind in a week, marking an extraordinary reception by the Ajax fanbase.

Ajax, which experienced a challenging start to the season and found themselves hovering near the relegation zone, has undergone a remarkable resurgence with six wins in their last eight matches. The sacking of Maurice Steijn marked a turning point, and under the management of John van’t Schip, the club has climbed to fifth in the league standings, just six points behind third-placed FC Twente, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot.

Speaking about Henderson’s acquisition, Van’t Schip expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “His arrival means a huge enhancement for our squad. Both on and off the pitch, a football player of this calibre is important for our many young players. He’s an English international player and has won the Champions League and many other prizes with Liverpool. I am happy he’s here, and I think it’s very good for our club that he’s an Ajacied from today onwards.” Despite the potential delay, Henderson’s arrival has already generated a considerable buzz and positive impact at Ajax.