Why Brentford let Henderson leave for free with a year to run | OneFootball

Jordan Henderson has left Brentford after a mutual contract termination. Despite a year remaining, a gentleman’s agreement allowed a free exit this summer if the right opportunity arose, and the club honoured it. Relations between player and club remain amicable.

He signed last summer on a two-year deal to add experience and push for a strong league finish, while the club supported his World Cup bid. With those aims met, a post-tournament review saw Henderson favour a new challenge and Brentford chose not to block it.

He arrived from Ajax as a free agent and made 32 Premier League appearances, including 22 starts, as Keith Andrews’ side finished ninth, missing European qualification on goal difference.

He was selected in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad and made one appearance, six minutes against Panama. He is recovering from a broken left arm that required surgery after celebrations following the last-16 win over Mexico at the Azteca.

Previously he spent 12 years at Liverpool, then joined Al-Ettifaq and Ajax before Brentford.

Chelsea have lodged interest in Henderson, with Brentford’s west London neighbours leading the race to sign the England international. Brentford are in advanced talks to sign 24-year-old Mamadou Sangare from Lens for £41m, after weeks of discreet discussions unrelated to Henderson’s exit.

Source: Hounslow Herald