Henderson beats ex-Man Utd pair and Bob Marley to set extraordinary Ajax record

Robin Bairner

• 19 Jan 2024 13:45 GMT
• 3 min read

Jordan Henderson’s move to Ajax has caused a major buzz around the Amsterdam club, with the England international’s shirt already becoming a coveted possession.

Henderson joined Ajax on a free transfer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq on Thursday, with the 33-year-old signing a two-and-a-half year contract with the club after spending just six months in the Middle East.

While there have been doubts expressed over the impact that the former Liverpool star might have on the club in a playing sense by the local media, the supporters have spoken and have made his No.6 jersey the fastest selling in club history.

His arrival has sparked record sales, easily surpassing those of former Manchester United pair Dusan Tadic and Daley Blind.

Indeed, it is claimed by AjaxLife: “Henderson’s shirt was sold more times within 24 hours than those of Tadic and Blind within a week.”

Official numbers have not been published by the Eredivisie side, but Ajax have already stated that Henderson’s shirt is the fastest selling of any player in club history.

And it is reported that his shirt has even sold more quickly in the first 24 hours than the famous Bob Marley kit that Ajax commissioned during the 2021/22 season.

Why Henderson’s kit is so popular

It is claimed that part of the reason that Henderson is proving so popular is thanks to his draw in Asia. This is explained by Liverpool’s heavy commercial involvement there in recent years, where Henderson was already something of a cult figure.

Instead of playing in his usual No.14 shirt, though, Henderson will take up the No.6 jersey vacated by Davy Klaassen, who departed the club last summer to sign for Inter.

Henderson could make his Ajax debut on Sunday, when the Amsterdam side play host to RKC Waalwijk in the Eredivisie. He is expected to provide a lift to the Dutch side, who are fifth in the standings, nine points short of a Champions League qualifying spot.