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Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has outlined why he chose to return to the Premier League this summer after opting against extending his stay with Ajax.
Henderson left Liverpool in the summer of 2023 to join the Saudi Pro League side Al Ettihad, at the time managed by Steven Gerrard. The England international then moved to the Netherlands, where he enjoyed some success in Amsterdam.
However, around 18 months after moving to Ajax, he decided to come back to the Premier League to sign for Brentford. Many thought that he would pick boyhood side Sunderland, but he ended up in West London.
"I don't necessarily think I had to come back to the Premier League to get in the England squad," he told Sky Sports before Brentford's game with Manchester United this weekend.
"I was in the England squad also when I was at Ajax, in a different league. I do still think there are other leagues that are still at a good level and a high level.
"I was playing at a high level still, especially in Europe and some big games in Holland against PSV and Feyenoord. There were still some big games, but at the same time, I understand that it isn't the Premier League.
"I missed the Premier League. I missed the intensity, the atmospheres, and the feeling of the Premier League. In the end, that is what made me come back [and sign for Brentford].
"Of course, I do think the Premier League is the best and it gives me the best opportunity if I can perform at that level to get into the England squad, and that is at the back of my mind.
"But at the same time, coming to the Premier League and trying to play as much as possible... coming back was something that I missed and I wanted to do.
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"Being back in the England set-up for me personally was huge. It's something that when you're not in the squad, you think about if you will have the opportunity to go back in.
"To go back in under this new manager, with the squad that we have got, was massive and it still is.
"It means a lot to play for my country and to still be doing it now is amazing for me personally."
Liverpool.com says: Henderson should never have left the major leagues to begin with. Going to Saudi Arabia was a mistake and while he experienced something new at Ajax, he could have just gone straight there and then made his return to England.
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