Jordan Henderson

Sunderland

Henderson was born in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear and joined the youth system of his hometown club Sunderland aged eight. He signed a professional contract with the club on 1 July 2008. He played his first league match for Sunderland as a half-time substitute on 1 November 2008 in a 5–0 away defeat to Chelsea. He then made his first Sunderland start and home debut against Blackburn Rovers in the League Cup.

Coventry City (loan)

In January 2009, Henderson joined Championship club Coventry City on a one-month loan deal. He made his Coventry debut in a 2–1 defeat to Derby County. Henderson's loan to Coventry was extended until the end of the season, and he scored the first senior goal of his career on 28 February 2009 against Norwich City. After picking up an injury, a fracture to the fifth metatarsal bone in his foot, he returned to Sunderland in April 2009.

Return to Sunderland

In the 2009–10 season, Henderson broke into the Sunderland first team and made several Premier League appearances. He scored his first senior goal for the club against Birmingham City in the League Cup third round. He then went on to score his first Premier League goal against Manchester City on 19 December 2009.

Henderson spent the majority of the season on the right side of midfield but played centrally in the absence of Lee Cattermole; his versatility and consistency earning him a new five-year contract on 23 April 2010, keeping him with the club until 2015. He also went on to win the Sunderland Young Player of the Year award for the 2009–10 season.

On 13 January 2011, Henderson was listed on the official FIFA website as one of 13 young players to watch in 2011. He was named Sunderland's Young Player of the Year for the second season running.

Liverpool

On 9 June 2011, Henderson was transferred to Liverpool for an undisclosed fee, thought to be between £16 and £20 million. He made his debut in Liverpool's first match of the 2011–12 Premier League, a 1–1 draw against his former club Sunderland where he was given a mixed reception by Sunderland fans. On 27 August 2011, Henderson scored his first goal for Liverpool in a Premier League fixture at Anfield against Bolton Wanderers. On 26 February 2012, Henderson started on the right of midfield in Liverpool's 2012 Football League Cup Final victory over Cardiff City before being substituted in the 58th minute. On 5 May, he played the full 90 minutes as Liverpool were beaten 2–1 by Chelsea in the 2012 FA Cup Final. Henderson ended the 2011–12 season with two goals from 44 appearances.

In August 2012, Henderson was told he would be allowed to join Fulham by new manager Brendan Rodgers, but this was rejected by the player. He went on to score his first European goal for Liverpool on 6 December 2012, with the winner against Udinese in the UEFA Europa League as the Reds qualified for the last 32.

Henderson established himself as a regular member of the Liverpool team in the 2013–14 season, playing in 35 Premier League matches before he received his first career red card in a 3–2 win over Manchester City on 13 April 2014, resulting in an automatic three match ban which meant he would miss three of Liverpool's last four matches. On 29 September, he made his 100th appearance for the club as Liverpool won 1–3 at Sunderland.

Henderson started the season in good form, providing two assists in Liverpool's first three league matches, and was named as the club's vice-captain following the departure of Daniel Agger. On 29 November, Henderson started as the captain for the first time for Liverpool in the Premier League against Stoke City as Steven Gerrard stayed on the bench. On 2 December, Henderson marked his 150th appearance for the club by scoring the third goal in a 3–1 win against Leicester City to confirm the win. Henderson started many Liverpool matches as captain as Gerrard was out injured or being rested on the bench. On 23 April, Henderson signed a five-year contract extension at Liverpool worth £100,000 a week.

Following the departure of Steven Gerrard in June 2015, Henderson was made captain of Liverpool. After aggravating a heel injury Henderson underwent surgery, but broke a bone in his right foot before he could rejoin the starting line-up. It was reported that Henderson's heel problems stemmed from the incurable condition plantar fasciitis.

Henderson started the 2016–17 with regular appearance in the starting eleven and on 16 September scored a spectacular 25-yard strike in a 2–1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The strike earned him the Goal of the Month award for the month of September.

Youth

Henderson has represented England at four different levels. He made his debut for the under-19s against the Czech Republic in 2009, before breaking into Stuart Pearce's under-21 squad. He scored his first goal in an England shirt in the European U21 Championship play-offs against Romania, hitting a volley from outside the box to give England the lead.

Henderson was selected in the England U21 squad for the 2011 European Championships. However, England were knocked out in the group stage. He captained the England U21 team in a 6–0 win over Azerbaijan U21 on 1 September 2011, scoring one goal in the Euro 2013 qualifier. He then scored his fourth under-21 goal in a 2–1 win away at Norway, maintaining England's 100% record in Euro 2013 qualification. On 3 February 2013, Henderson was named the England U21 Player of the Year in the inaugural year of the award. He captained the under-21 team at the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Senior

On 11 November 2010, Henderson was omitted from England's U21 squad for their friendly with Germany, instead receiving his first call up to the senior England squad on 17 November 2010 for their friendly against France. He made his debut in the match, playing from the start in central midfield alongside Steven Gerrard.

Initially named as a standby player, Henderson was called up to the England Euro 2012 squad to replace the injured Frank Lampard. He featured in England's first match of the tournament against France, coming on as a late substitute for Scott Parker, and again featured as a substitute, coming on during extra-time, in England's quarter-final penalty shoot-out defeat to Italy.

Henderson was selected in Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad to travel to Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He started in England's opening two World Cup group matches, 2–1 losses to Italy in Manaus and to Uruguay in São Paulo.

Henderson also went to Euro 2016 with Roy Hodgson in France. He only played one match that being the final group match against Slovakia which ended 0–0 as England finished second in their group.

Style of play

Henderson plays as a box-to-box midfielder and is widely regarded as a player who works hard and brings energy to the team. Described as an "athletic and hardworking midfielder," Henderson has developed his game during his time at Liverpool into a more creative player. Furthermore, he constantly presses high up the field whenever the opposition is in possession.

Personal life

Henderson was schooled at Farringdon Community Sports College before joining Sunderland as a youngster. He was a Sunderland fan as a child and was spotted at the 2014 League Cup Final with the Sunderland fans, whilst being a player at Liverpool. On the same day as being named Liverpool captain, it was announced he would also be featuring alongside Lionel Messi on the cover of the UK edition of FIFA 16.

Club

International

Honours

Liverpool

Individual