What Jordan Henderson had to say about Ed Sheeran after England squad got surprise private performance

England's Jordan Henderson during the UEFA Euro 2020 Group D match at Wembley Stadium, London on Tuesday June 22, 2021./ Photo: Nick Potts/PA Wire.

Jordan Henderson has praised Ed Sheeran as a “fantastic guy” after the singer treated England’s Euro 2020 squad to a surprise private performance.

Gareth Southgate’s team were serenaded by the chart-topping performer at their St George’s Park headquarters as they enjoyed their only day off during the tournament.

Sheeran, 30, who is a long-standing fan of Ipswich Town football club, delivered an outdoor acoustic show while the players sat around and enjoyed a barbecue.

The team is preparing for their clash against Germany at Wembley on Tuesday as the competition enters the knockout stages.

Former Sunderland star and Liverpool midfielder Henderson told assembled media at St George’s Park that the squad had spent a few hours with the Suffolk-raised star.

He said: “I have to say he was a top, top man. He was a fantastic guy. Straight away he was very warm and as a performer everyone knows how good he is.

“It was great to have him outside playing a few songs and speaking to him. It was a really good night. To have him round for a few hours was nice.”

The sportsman described the event as “a relaxed thing”.

He added: “It was very private, a bit of food, a barbecue. He jumped on the guitar and played a few songs. It was incredible. It was a bit surreal at times.

“He was sitting playing the guitar while we were eating food. I couldn’t speak highly enough of him as a person. I thought he was brilliant and the lads really enjoyed it.”

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Earlier in June, Jordan received an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours not only for his achievements on the pitch but in recognition of his part in forming charitable fund, Players Together.

The former Farringdon Academy pupil came up through the Academy of Light and made his SAFC first team debut in November 2008.

He made almost 80 appearances for the Black Cats before being sold to Liverpool for an undisclosed sum, believed to be around £20million, in June 2011.

In the decade since, he has captained the Reds to Premier League and Champions’ League glory, as well as making almost 60 appearances for England and captaining the national team.

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