Jordan Henderson, the captain of Liverpool, has said goodbye to the team as he nears a transfer to Al-Ettifaq.
When the 33-year-old’s transfer to the Saudi Pro League team is official, he will complete a 12-year tenure at Anfield during which he earned every major club honour.
“It’s difficult to sum up the past 12 years, and saying goodbye is even more difficult. I’m a Red now and forever. Till the day I pass away,” he wrote on Instagram.
“I appreciate everything. Never stroll by yourself.
“I’m in the (Liverpool) dressing room for the last time therefore, as you can imagine, it is really emotional,” he added in a video that went along with his post.
“I need to convey what the past 12 years have meant for my family and me in some way.
“Being named captain of the Liverpool Football Club was one of my life’s greatest honours.
“I did everything I could to conduct myself like a Liverpool captain should from the moment the armband was handed to me.
“Thank you for letting me join your club and for your support through good times and bad,” he said.
Henderson had been working on a move to the Middle East, where he would reconnect with former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard as manager, but on Wednesday, a supporter shared a video of him working out with his new club in Croatia on social media.
Despite the intense public interest in the England international, he arrived in Germany 11 days ago for Liverpool’s training camp, but he didn’t participate in any of their friendlies there after an initial bid of £12 million was accepted.
However, Fabinho, a fellow midfielder, was left at home when Al-Ittihad made a £40 million bid hours before they were scheduled to leave.
The deal’s consummation is still awaited by the Brazil international, but it is anticipated to be completed this week.
The transfer of Scottish international Jack Hendry from Club Brugge to Al-Ettifaq has already been announced, and Moussa Dembele, a former Celtic attacker, seems likely to follow.