BREAKING: STEVEN GERRARD AGREES TWO-YEAR EXTENSION WITH AL-ETTIFAQ
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Steven Gerrard has reportedly signed a shock two-year contract extension at Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq.
The former Liverpool captain joined in the summer but Al-Ettifaq are only eighth in the Saudi Pro League despite strong investment.
Gerrard’s position had been considered under threat due to a winless run of nine games in all competitions, during which time they have scored three goals.
His extension comes despite captain and friend Jordan Henderson terminating his contract with the club and he is reportedly undertaking a medical with Ajax today.
Al-Ettifaq have tied their manager down until 2027 with this new deal, as reported by The Athletic.
Gerrard initially rejected the opportunity to join Al-Ettifaq but changed his mind and signed a deal in July in a dramatic U-turn.
The club recruited Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, Demarai Gray, Jack Hendry, and Moussa Dembele in a bid to build on their seventh-placed finish last term.
Despite an impressive start, with six wins and only one defeat in the first eight games of the season in all competitions, they have since faltered.
Al-Ettifaq haven’t won a game since October 28 – and that’s the only match they’ve won in their last 13.
Henderson’s departure will no doubt come as a blow to the club’s ambitions.
The England midfielder excitedly described last summer’s £12million move from Liverpool as a glorious opportunity to help ‘grow the Pro League into one of the best in the world’.
However, the 33-year-old grew unsettled. In addition to adjusting to a different lifestyle, he struggled with the heat and humidity of the playing conditions, while Al Ettifaq’s average attendance this season of 7,800 in a 35,000-capacity stadium proved less than inspiring.
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