Liverpool signed Jordan Henderson from Sunderland on this day in 2011.
The deal for the 20-year-old England midfielder was reported to be worth £16million.
“Obviously it’s hard to leave your local club. I’m a Sunderland lad, I’ve supported them all my life,” Henderson said.
![Jordan Henderson made nearly 500 appearances for Liverpool after joining from Sunderland 13 years ago](https://www.irishnews.com/resizer/v2/N5GNCJ2SWRPJHBVYSK67J7FBKI.jpg?auth=3a7ff0657e6b64c6aa51436dc43a8bde752e7d785f58c66b30dd42ab0cf3fd8a&width=800&height=545)
“But this is a massive opportunity for me. I’m really excited by it.
“Coming to a massive club like Liverpool, there is always going to be competition.
“Hopefully I can keep working hard, keep improving, and get my chance on the pitch.”
Henderson picked up a winner’s medal in his first season at Anfield as Liverpool beat Cardiff in a Wembley penalty shoot-out to win the 2012 League Cup.
He became Liverpool’s vice-captain in September 2014 and was appointed skipper the following July after Steven Gerrard’s departure.
![Henderson pictured with the Champions League trophy after the club won the competition in 2019](https://www.irishnews.com/resizer/v2/WCGYQ4NYMVL4RPDQR4ADLNN5XY.jpg?auth=714328ae72a2584622d4d26470087ca23097de1e8b13f0e027045aecf2e47667&width=800&height=495)
Henderson went on to lift seven trophies as Liverpool captain under Jurgen Klopp – the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Community Shield.
He was named the 2019-20 Football Writers’ Association’s Footballer of the Year as Liverpool ended a 30-year wait to become champions of England.
The 81-cap Henderson played 492 games for Liverpool, with only Jamie Carragher and Gerrard making more Premier League appearances for the club, before leaving to controversially join Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia last summer, only to leave after six months to sign for Ajax.