I signed for Sunderland twice during my career - and I think Jordan Henderson should do the same
The former two-time Sunderland striker thinks Jordan Henderson’s Wearside return could be good for all parties
Jermain Defoe believes Jordan Henderson returning to Sunderland would be “amazing” for both player and club.
The former Sunderland and Rangers striker concluded his own emotional return to the Black Cats while the club were in League One but didn’t last long under Alex Neil, later announcing his retirement from football shortly after re-joining the Wearsiders.
Wearside-born Henderson joined Liverpool from Sunderland in a deal worth £20million in June 2011 after rising through the ranks at the Academy of Light. Henderson then captained the Reds to the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, European Super Cup and Club World Cup during his stay on Merseyside.
After his time at Liverpool had come to an end, Henderson joined Al Ettifaq for a fee in the region of £13million, with the Saudi club reportedly paying him a wage of around £350,000 per week. The move didn’t last long, however, with the former England man then moving to Ajax in Holland last January.
Reports have now suggested that Henderson is open to a return to Sunderland and that his former club are weighing up whether not not to bring the former England man back to Wearside during the January transfer window in two-and-a-half months time. Defoe, however, believes it would be a good move for both parties.
"100% (would Henderson moving to Sunderland be a good move for both parties),” Defoe said. “If any club brings in someone like Jordan Henderson, someone with that sort of ability, and what he brings on and off the pitch. He's a leader.
"You look at what he's won, his experience. He'd only help the club and the players around him, all the younger players would learn so much. Some people even said that Henderson should have gone to the Euros because with his experience, and what he's like as a person, he's a leader, he drives people.
“He drives those sorts of standards every day, and I think sometimes you need that. If it happens, and Sunderland gets back into the Premier League and Henderson goes back, then it would be an amazing story for everyone involved,” Defoe concluded to Gambling.com.
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