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Jordan Henderson was booed off by England supporters as the midfielder made his first appearance at Wembley since his controversial summer move to Saudi Arabia.

Henderson had captained the Three Lions in Friday night’s friendly against Australia at the national stadium.

The Al Ettifaq midfielder was substituted in the 62nd minute of the match.

Henderson joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq this summer for a reported £700,000-a-week, becoming the highest-paid British player in football history.

Jordan Henderson was booed off by England supporters after being substituted at Wembley

Jordan Henderson was booed off by England supporters after being substituted at Wembley

Jordan Henderson was booed off by England supporters after being substituted at Wembley

Henderson was making his first appearance at Wembley since his move to Saudi Arabia

Henderson was making his first appearance at Wembley since his move to Saudi Arabia

Henderson was making his first appearance at Wembley since his move to Saudi Arabia

The former Liverpool midfielder was chosen to captain England against Australia on Friday

The former Liverpool midfielder was chosen to captain England against Australia on Friday

The former Liverpool midfielder was chosen to captain England against Australia on Friday

Henderson, who publicly and vocally advocated for LGBTQ + rights during his time at Anfield, has faced backlash from fans after agreeing the deal.

The backlash came due to homosexuality being deemed a crime in Saudi Arabia, which is punishable by the death penalty.

Henderson has since defended the move and insisted his transfer to Saudi Pro League was not motivated by money.

‘I can understand the frustration, I can understand the anger,’ Henderson told The Athletic last month. ‘I get it. All I can say is that I’m sorry they feel like that. My intention was never, ever to hurt anyone. My intention has always been to help causes and communities where I felt like they had asked for my help.

‘My values don’t change because I’m going to a different country where the laws might be different. I see that as a positive thing. From their (Saudi) side, they knew that before signing it. So they knew my beliefs.

‘They knew what causes and campaigns I’ve done in the past and not once was it brought up. Not once have they said, ‘You can do this, you can’t do this’.

Henderson had played for England against Ukraine in a Euro 2024 qualifier last month with the match played in Poland. He was also an unused substitute when England faced Scotland at Hampden Park.

The friendly against Australia marked Henderson’s match in England since moving to Saudi Arabia.

England boss Gareth Southgate last month defended Henderson ahead of an expected protest by fans, while he insisted he would be ‘stupid’ to stop selecting the midfielder because he had moved to the Saudi Pro League. 

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