BBC pundit Kieron Brady has commented on a speculative Sunderland return for former player Jordan Henderson.
Henderson, now 33, is currently playing with Ajax in the Dutch Eredivisie, following a brief spell in Saudi Arabia with Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq.
The Sunderland-born midfielder left Liverpool after 12 years last summer to move to the Saudi Pro League where he spent just half-a-season.
He then made the switch to Ajax in January 2024, signing a two-and-a-half year deal with the club and featuring nine times in the Dutch flight, claiming three assists.
There’s been ongoing speculation on social media about a future return to the Stadium of Light for Henderson, which appears to have grown in recent weeks.
Several fans have commented on a speculative return for the 81-cap England man and now Brady has had his say as well.
Kieron Brady comments on Sunderland return for Jordan Henderson
Speaking on Total Sport, BBC pundit and former Sunderland player Brady said: “He doesn’t fit the model.”
Brady added: “He may well do it because I’m sure he’s earned a lot, and when you use the term ‘earned’, he has. He’s been a wonderful example of professionalism.
“If he approached the club and said, ‘I’m available’, then who knows.”
Henderson lifted the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and more with Liverpool.
He made a total of 492 appearances for the club and scored 33 goals along the way, with 59 assists to his name too.
Henderson began his career with Sunderland, making his debut during the 2008/09 season and eventually making 79 appearances for his hometown team, leaving for Anfield in a deal worth a reported £20million at the time.
Sunderland chances of signing Jordan Henderson
It’s certainly a dream signing for fans; Henderson has proved to be a credit to Sunderland, going on to have a fruitful career on the club and international stage, earning a reputation as a truly hard-working and passionate player, as well as one with obvious quality.
And he’s now at something of a crossroads in his career. He’s settled at Ajax and under contract for a couple more years yet, but come the summer of 2026, he’ll be out of contract.
By that time, Henderson will be 35 and in the later chapter of his career, perhaps looking for one final move to see out a prolonged and illustrious career.
And a return to Sunderland where it all started would cap it off nicely. Though the main question may be about money.
He was earning a reported £350,000-a-week in Saudi Arabia but he’s taken a huge pay cut to join Ajax; GOAL claim that Henderson now earns £74,000-a-week.
That’s still a huge amount of money. But it shows that Henderson perhaps has enough now to fulfil other ambitions and focus on his happiness.
Another drastic pay cut would be needed to entice Kyril Louis-Dreyfus into bringing Henderson back to Sunderland.
But in a couple of year’s time, the stars may align for the Black Cats and Henderson, so long as they’re in the Championship or higher.