Ending months of speculation, Liverpool vice-captain Jordan Henderson has put pen to paper on a new five-year deal that will see him almost double his salary and stay at the club until the year 2020.
“I’m over the moon that it’s finally done. There has been talk about it for a while now,” the vice-captain told the club’s official website after putting pen to paper. “I really feel that it’s a good time for us to look forward to the future, with the squad we’ve got, the manager, the size of the club and the fans we’ve got. I really think, over the next few years, we can challenge and start winning trophies. That’s the next phase; we’ve improved massively over the last few years, and I think the next phase for us is to start challenging for titles and trophies as well.”
Widely tipped to be handed the captain’s armband when long serving skipper Steven Gerrard sets sail for the MLS this summer, after a shaky start to life on Merseyside, Henderson has gone from strength to strength. Despite rumours linking him with a move away from Anfield, the 24-year old has put any question of a departure aside and has confirmed that the Reds were the only club on his mind.
“I always have. A few years ago I had an opportunity to leave but I always knew how big this club is and I wanted to stay here for as long as possible – and nothing has changed since then. I feel as though I have got a good connection with the club now and I really feel a good connection with the fans as well,” enthused the 24-year old. “So, for me, there was no doubt where my future was going to be and it was just a matter of time for my agent and the club to sort it out. For me, it was purely based on concentrating on my football and then hopefully it would get sorted out. Thankfully, it is now.”
