Jordan Henderson says goodbye to Liverpool fans as move to Saudi Arabia Al-Effitaq confirmed

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has bid farewell to the club as his controversial move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq is confirmed.

The move to the Saudi Pro League club means the 33-year-old brings to an end a 12-year spell at Anfield, in which he won every single major club honour.

But the transfer has been heavily criticised due to Henderson's alliance with LGBT+ groups and the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign.

Homosexuality is illegal and punishable by death in Saudi Arabia.

In a post on Instagram, Henderson said: "It's hard to put these last 12 years into words and it's even harder to say goodbye. I will always be a Red. Until the day I die.

"Thank you for everything. You'll never walk alone."

He added in a video accompanying his post: "I'm in the (Liverpool) dressing room for the last time so, as you can imagine, it is very emotional.

"I need to somehow explain what these last 12 years have meant for me and my family.

"Being made the captain of Liverpool Football Club was one 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.

"Thank you for allowing me to be part of your club, thank you for your support in good time and bad."

Henderson's move to the Middle East - where he will be reunited with former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard as manager - has been in the pipeline for several weeks but on Wednesday, 26 July, a fan posted a video on social media of him training with his new club in Croatia.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has completed his controversial move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq.

The 33-year-old, who posted a farewell message to Reds fans on Wednesday, brought to an end a 12-year stay at Anfield in which he won every major trophy by finalising a deal with reported wages of up to £700,000-a-week.

Liverpool are due to receive an initial £12million from the Saudi Pro League club, who posted on social media: “A leader. A warrior. We’re simply thrilled to have him. Henderson is ETTIFAQI.”

Henderson was seen training with his new team-mates at a camp in Croatia in a fan video posted on social media, which will have caused Liverpool some embarrassment even though it was hastily deleted.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp paid tribute to his departing captain.

“I know it was a really, really tough decision for Hendo and I was around or with him all the way,” he told the club’s website.

“It’s sad, absolutely strange, because he is the only captain I had here at Liverpool, but I think it is exciting for him as well.

“We will miss him, without a shadow of a doubt, that’s clear – as a man and as a player. But, as I said, that’s football.”

Liverpool are due to receive an initial £12million from the Saudi Pro League club, who posted on social media: “A leader. A warrior. We’re simply thrilled to have him. Henderson is ETTIFAQI.”

Despite the very public interest in the England international he flew out to Liverpool's training camp in Germany 11 days ago, although he did not play in either of their friendlies out there after an offer of an initial £12million was accepted.

In contrast, fellow midfielder Fabinho was left at home as a £40m bid from Al-Ittihad arrived hours before they were due to travel.

The Brazil international is still awaiting the conclusion of the deal but that is expected to go through this week.

Henderson's decision to move to Saudi Arabia has come in for criticism after his staunch support for the LGBT+ community and Rainbow Laces Premier League initiative.

Homosexuality is illegal and punishable by death in Saudi Arabia, while the state stands accused of a host of other abuses including placing harsh restrictions on women's rights and the right to political protest.

Pride in Football, a network of LGBT+ fan groups, said in a statement: "When you see someone who has been an ally so publicly transfer to a club in a country where LGBT+ people are attacked and imprisoned, it is disappointing.

"Good luck in Saudi Arabia Jordan, but you have lost the respect of so many people who valued you, and trusted you."

Liverpool's own LGBT+ fans group Kop Outs were even more damning, saying: "Given choices he has recently made, Kop Outs doubt & question if Henderson was ever an actual ally."

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