Jordan Henderson has officially left Brentford after both the club and the player agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent, paving the way for his expected move to Chelsea.
The experienced midfielder joined Brentford from Dutch club Ajax last summer and became an important member of the squad during the 2025/26 season. The 36 year old featured in 34 matches, bringing leadership and experience to the team as Brentford enjoyed a successful campaign.
Henderson is now in advanced talks with Chelsea and is expected to complete a free transfer in the coming days. Reports suggest Brentford decided not to block the move after making it clear they would allow him to leave if a bigger club came in with an offer.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is keen to strengthen his squad with experienced players ahead of the new season. Henderson’s leadership qualities, winning mentality and years of Premier League experience have made him a key target for the London club.
Speaking after confirming his departure, Henderson expressed his appreciation to everyone at Brentford for welcoming him and his family.
“I leave Brentford with a lot of gratitude for the opportunity the club gave me, and for the support and care shown to me and my family from day one,” he said.
The former Liverpool captain explained that returning to the Premier League meant a lot to him, and he was grateful that Brentford made it possible. He said he was pleased to have contributed to the team’s progress and believed everyone connected with the club should be proud of what they achieved together last season.
Henderson also described Brentford as a special club with ambition and a strong vision for the future. He praised the owners, management, coaching staff, players and everyone working behind the scenes for making his time at the club enjoyable.
He ended his message by thanking the Brentford supporters for their unwavering support throughout his stay. According to Henderson, the fans’ passion and commitment to the club were clear to see, and he said he would always appreciate the encouragement they gave him during his time with the Bees.
Chelsea are expected to complete the signing soon as they continue preparations for the new Premier League season under Alonso.
The move would see Henderson return to one of England’s biggest clubs, where he is expected to provide experience and leadership both on and off the pitch.