Chelsea have confirmed their signing of Jordan Henderson on a free transfer, after Brentford allowed the 36-year-old to terminate his contract a year earlier than expected. The 36-year-old joins on a free transfer having left Brentford by mutual consent, and has signed a two-year deal at Stamford Bridge. Between them, Henderson and Welbeck will add 863 Premier League games’ worth of experience to a changing room now overseen by new manager Xabi Alonso, 44.
Speaking for the first time after being confirmed as a new Chelsea player, it's safe to say Henderson is delighted to have got the deal over the line. He said: "Given the size of the club, the manager, who I have great admiration for, and the quality of the players, this was a huge opportunity I couldn’t turn down. "I was also so impressed with how much the ownership want Chelsea to be successful and move in the right direction. For me, it's about giving everything every single day, both on and off the field, to help the players around me and the team as much as possible. I'm very excited to get going."
This change in recruitment strategy comes after a dismal campaign that saw the club finish 10th, prompting the hierarchy to acknowledge the need for a refocus away from young, inexperienced players. The Blues were keen to add experience to Xabi Alonso's squad this summer and have now brought in Henderson and Danny Welbeck, 35, in the same window. Chelsea have not featured a player over the age of 30 in two years and had not paid for one in four.