Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson announced his Liverpool departure in an emotional social media post on Wednesday.
Henderson, 33, is set to leave the Merseyside club after 12 years for the Saudi club Al-Ettifaq where he will be reunited with his former teammate Steven Gerrard, who joined the club as a head coach.
The Brit became Liverpool’s captain in 2015 and went on to guide his team to the club’s first Premier League title in 30 years, as well as the first UEFA Champions League title in 15 years in 2019.
“I’m not sure I have any words to sum up how I’m feeling right now,” Henderson began his emotional note. “I’m in the dressing room for the last time. So as you can imagine, it’s very emotional, but I need to somehow try and explain what these last 12 years have meant for me and my family.”
The 33-year-old footballer also talked about the moment when he signed for the Reds in 2011.
“I can still remember that June night back in 2011, clearly being dead excited, but then becoming even more nervous as the move from Sunderland became a reality.
“It was hard leaving there. I have to be honest. My hometown, my club. But when Liverpool come knocking, you don’t say no.”
Henderson leaves Liverpool as a legend after winning eight trophies wearing the red colour.
“I can’t lie, there have been hard times, really hard times, but when I look back at my career at Liverpool, it will always be the good times that I remember.
“Those good times again, where do I start? Being made the captain of Liverpool Football Club was one of the greatest honours of my life. From the day the armband was passed to me I did everything I could to behave like a Liverpool captain should.
“But the biggest honours at Liverpool weren’t personal ones. They were collective, all of us, all of you together, starting in Madrid with number six, the most perfect night. Probably my favourite night, actually,” he added.
Henderson will sign a big-money contract where he will earn £700,000 per week while Liverpool will also get £12 million transfer fee.
“I guess the thing I want to say most of all of you is just simply thank you. Thank you for allowing me to have been a part of your club. Thank you for your support in good times and bad.
“Thank you for all the sacrifices and commitments you made and will continue to make to follow us all over the world. Just know that I will always be a Red until the day I die. Thank you for everything. You’ll never walk alone, Jordan,” he concluded.