Why Jordan Henderson Wasn't Paid During His Time in Saudi Arabia

 

Jordan Henderson’s stint in Saudi Arabia came to an abrupt end, much sooner than he or anyone else had anticipated. The former Liverpool captain was among the high-profile footballers who moved to the Saudi Pro League in 2023, enticed by lucrative contracts. However, according to The Telegraph, Henderson did not receive a single penny of his substantial salary during his time at Al-Ettifaq.

Despite facing widespread criticism for his decision to join the Saudi league, with many assuming financial incentives were the driving force behind his move, it has now emerged that he never actually collected his wages. The reason for this lies in a strategic financial decision Henderson made upon signing with Al-Ettifaq in July 2023, where he reunited with former teammate Steven Gerrard, the club’s manager at the time.

To avoid taxation by the UK government, Henderson opted to defer his salary throughout his six-month tenure in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, this arrangement allowed him greater flexibility in representing England without being restricted by UK tax residency regulations. Under British tax laws, an individual is classified as a resident for tax purposes if they spend more than 90 days in the country. Henderson was advised that, based on a pro-rata calculation, he was permitted only 21 days in the UK until the end of 2023 if he wished to maintain non-resident status for tax purposes.

This restriction on his time in the UK was a key factor in his initial decision to postpone salary payments. However, his subsequent choice to cut his stay short—terminating his contract just six months into a three-year deal—had significant financial consequences. By leaving Saudi Arabia early, Henderson forfeited six months' worth of his £350,000-a-week wages. Football journalist Ben Jacobs revealed that as part of his contract termination agreement, the midfielder voluntarily gave up all earnings owed to him—an amount totaling approximately £4 million.

While the exact reasons behind his departure remain uncertain, reports suggest that Henderson and his family struggled to adapt to life in Saudi Arabia after leaving England. In January 2024, he signed with Dutch giants Ajax.

However, Henderson’s time in the Netherlands may also be short-lived. Recent reports indicate that he refused to play for Ajax in an attempt to secure a transfer to AS Monaco, a club competing in the Champions League. It remains unclear whether this move will materialize, as speculation suggests he now regrets his actions and is more open to remaining at Ajax for the 2024/25 season.