10 months ago
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Jordan Henderson has not even been an Ajax player for a full day yet - but he's already set a new club record.
The former Liverpool captain signed for Ajax after waiving £4 million in wages from Al-Ettifaq.
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And he is already proving to be a fan-favourite at the Dutch club.
It was confirmed that Henderson would wear the No.6 shirt which has been vacant since former midfielder Davy Klaassen left to join Inter Milan last year.
And Ajax have now announced that Henderson's shirt has broken the club record for the most shirts sold by an individual player in the 24 hours following their signing.
Although we live in a different era of consumerism, the 33-year-old midfielder's shirt has officially sold faster than Luis Suarez, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Kluivert and Clarence Seedorf
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An Ajax spokesperson told Ajax Life: "We really rarely, if ever, experience this."
But Henderson will still have work to do to prove to club fans that he was a shrewd signing in what has been a difficult season for Ajax.
Ajax legend Ronald de Boer told Alan Brazil and Ray Parlour on talkSPORT Breakfast just how fans were feeling about their newest signing.
He said: “He’s not in his prime. The feeling is 50/50. A lot of people say, ‘What a great signing, he's experienced, he’s seen it all, done it all’.
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“Others will say, ‘Is it over the top? He went to Saudi to collect money. Is he still on that level he was at Liverpool? Is he still hungry?’
“Saying this, I think he is still hungry because he wants to be in the England squad for Euro 2024.
Danny Murphy believes Jordan Henderson has messed up following his failed move to Saudi Arabia and admits his reputation is forever damaged
“I think he is there to show himself to Gareth Southgate and that is important. That must’ve been a major factor.
“It’s been a terrible season this year, the worst in history, they needed some experienced players and this is a good signing.”
Henderson will be hoping his start at his new club goes more smoothly than his last.
The England international had only signed for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq in July 2023, but six months later he became anxious to move on.
He joins Ajax with hopes of helping the 36-time Eredivisie champions qualify for European football this season.
They currently sit fifth in the table, 23 points off leaders PSV Eindhoven.
But only a first or second place finish will give them a chance at a Champions League run next season.
Henderson will not yet be eligible to play when Ajax take on Waalwijk on Saturday 21 January as he awaits a work permit.
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Despite his lack of Ajax minutes so far, his shirt sales indicate he can expect a warm welcome to the club.
There is still one Ajax shirt that sold faster than Henderson's following its release, although it was not a football player: the 2021/22 Bob Marley limited edition third kit.
After all, there are legends - and then there are legends.
