Jordan Henderson believes there is still room for improvement at the age of 35 after signing a two-year contract with Brentford.
The English midfielder and former Liverpool captain returns to the Premier League following his recent departure from Ajax.
During his 12-year tenure at Liverpool, Henderson secured victories in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, two League Cups, Community Shield, Super Cup, and Club World Cup.
In July 2023, he joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq, managed by his former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard. However, his contract was terminated after six months, leading to his move to Ajax.
Last week, Ajax agreed to end Henderson's contract a year early, paving the way for his transfer to Brentford.
"I strive to share my experiences, especially with younger players. However, I also need to perform and fulfill my responsibilities on the field," Henderson told the club's website.
"While I am committed to helping those around me, I believe that even at my age, there is always something to learn and ways to improve, which I intend to pursue at this club."
Henderson was recalled to the England squad in March by new manager Thomas Tuchel, having not played for the national team since November 2023. He boasts 84 England caps.
The midfielder has participated in three World Cups and three European Championships.
Henderson was awarded an MBE in the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours for his contributions to football and charity.
"Once we learned of Jordan's availability, the decision was straightforward," said Brentford manager Keith Andrews.
"He remains exceptionally fit and motivated to accomplish more in the game, despite his already impressive achievements."
Andrews emphasized the importance of replacing the experience lost with the recent departures of Christian Norgaard, Mark Flekken, and Ben Mee.
"Jordan has been one of the most influential leaders in recent Premier League history," Andrews noted. "He has been instrumental in driving for titles and Champions Leagues at a remarkable club."
"He will elevate standards and be an excellent addition to the squad."
What Henderson Can Offer Brentford - Analysis
Henderson's contract with Ajax was terminated a year early after the club missed out on the league title on the final day of last season. The decision was partly influenced by the club's financial difficulties, as Henderson was their highest earner.
The 35-year-old encountered controversy during his 18 months at the club.
On January 30, Henderson played in a 2-1 Europa League victory against Galatasaray but refused to captain the team or join his teammates in celebrating their goals. Then-manager Francesco Farioli declined to comment on speculation linking Henderson to Monaco.
Days later, after a win against Feyenoord, Henderson engaged in a heated exchange with Dutch football journalist Mike Verweij, who questioned whether the former Liverpool captain had instigated the move, a claim he denied.
Following the public dispute, Henderson started only nine more games. During his time at Ajax, he started 30 league matches, completing 90 minutes on 20 occasions.
Henderson is expected to fill the void left by Christian Norgaard at Brentford, a significant challenge. Since his Premier League debut in 2021, the Danish midfielder made 201 interceptions, ranked second for recoveries (844), and third for tackles won (189).
Although Henderson may not have played as many full games as desired since leaving Saudi Arabia for Ajax in January 2024, he remained effective in Amsterdam, despite the league's lower reputation.
He created the joint-highest number of chances of any Ajax player in the Eredivisie last season. He also led in passes, crosses, tackles, and interceptions among Ajax midfielders.