It has been the worst kept secret in all of Major League Soccer. So many hints, video teases, assumptions and of course Sporting Director Erik Soler meeting the media and keeping quiet about his name being mentioned as contract negotiations were on going, but after going thru all the formalities now it’s official. Thierry Henry is a member of the New York Red Bulls.

“it is without question that Thierry Henry is one of the most successful and recognizable soccer players over the past 15 years,” said Dietmar Beiersdorfer, Head of Red Bull Global Soccer. “We are thrilled that Thierry has decided to come to New York to help the Red Bulls compete for championships this year and for years to come. His international pedigree is second to none and he is a proven winner.”

In 1994 Henry started his professional football career with AS Monaco of French League One, but in 1999 he was transferred to Italian side Juventus for a short period of time. Then Arsene Wenger who has been managing Arsenal in the English Premiership since 1996 brought his countryman over and the love affair at highbury began. 174 goals in 254 appeareaces along with two Premier League titles in 2001-02 & 2003-04 seasons and three FA Cup titles back to back in 2002 & 2003, then their third in 2005.

But Henry wanted a new challenge and that came with F.C. Barcelona of La Liga after eight glorious years with Arsenal. He came over to Catalonia in the 2007-08 season. But it was his second season that made him a memorable figure for the Spanish side. At the end of 2009 Barca would take the La Liga Title, Copa del Ray, UEFA Champions League by defeating Manchester United two goals to nil, then the Supercopa de Espana, UEFA Super Cup & the end of the year FIFA World Club Cup Title defeating Copa Libertadores Champions Estudiantes of Argentina in Extra Time two to one.

Let’s also not forget some of Henry’s international career moments playing for his country in France. Since 1997 he has made 123 appearances for his country scoring 51 goals. Helped France win their first World Cup defeating Brazil three goals to nil when they hosted back in 1998, the European Cup in 2000 defeating Italy two to one in extra time, then in 2003 when France hosted the FIFA Confederations Cup where he scored four goals and the final match winner against Cameroon in extra time.

But as we all know from this past La Liga season there has been some strife between Henry and current manager of Barcelona Pep Guardiola. Henry was slowly phased out from the plans of Guardiola and when Henry wasn’t subbed in for the second leg of this past UEFA Champions League semi-final, it was time for him to move on into a new chapter in his life. That new chapter is here in New York City, the Red Bulls & Major League Soccer.

On Wednesday, July 14th Thierry Henry has officially signed with the New York Red Bulls and it’s been said before, the worst kept secret in all of MLS has finally come true. “Thierry is not only a world class player who will undoubtedly improve our squad, but he has shown most importantly throughout his career that he is a winner,” said Erik Soler, Red Bull New York General Manager and Sporting Director. “He has made it clear to us that he is committed in the short and long term to help in our vision of making our organization the premium franchise in Major League Soccer.”

The press conference for Henry will be this Thursday at 1:15PM at Red Bull Arena and for the many in the New York City Tri-State area who have watched him play all those years for Arsenal & Barcelona on Fox Soccer Channel, GOL TV & ESPN he is officially coming to the greatest city in the world & it fits very well to one of the games world class players.

http:\/\/www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2010/07/new-york-red-bulls-sign-international-star-thierry-henry