Former Germany international Thomas Hitzlsperger has slammed Jordan Henderson for joining Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq.
Henderson completed his £12m switch to Steven Gerrard’s outfit on Thursday on a three-year deal – bringing his 12-year stay at Anfield to an end.
The 33-year-old joined Jurgen Klopp’s side from Sunderland in a deal worth £20m in 2011 and racked up 492 appearances, scored 33 goals, and recorded 57 assists across all competitions.
He helped Liverpool clinch several titles including the Champions League, Premier League, Club World Cup, and FA Cup. During his time at the club, he was a supporter of the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign.
However, his move to Saudi Arabia has been met with a lot of disappointment especially from the LGBTQ+ community with Hitzlsperger claiming that the England international’s brand as an ally of the LGBTQ+ community is dead.
“So Jordan Henderson finally gets his move to Saudi Arabia. Fair play to him, he can play wherever he wants to play,” the German posted on social media.
“Curious to know though how the new brand JH will look like. The old one is dead! I did believe for a while that his support for the [rainbow emoji] community would be genuine. Silly me.”
Liverpool’s club supporters’ board, which includes representatives from Kop Outs and the women’s supporters’ club have also released a statement expressing their concern.
“Jordan Henderson was a true captain and true leader for Liverpool on and off the pitch. We know he did much to promote inclusion. He stood out as a principled footballer. We are therefore very disappointed by his decision and the hurt and division it has created,” a statement said.
“The very essence of the Liverpool Supporters Board is to be inclusive and ensure all Liverpool fans, whatever their faith, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability can attend and enjoy football. That’s what we want for fans, that’s what we want for football. We stand in solidarity with our allies from Kop Outs, Liverpool’s LGBT+ fans’ group.”
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