Henry passes physical to finalize Barca move

Jun 25, 2007, 22:08 GMT

Madrid, Spain - Thierry Henry passed his physical on Monday to complete his move from the Premiership to La Liga. Just two days earlier, Arsenal came to terms on a transfer fee with Barcelona, and Henry agreed to a four-year contract with his new club.

'It is incredible,' said Henry. 'I am looking forward to playing in the Camp Nou and helping the team in every way I can.'

Henry's health was in question after he suffered injuries to his foot, stomach, back and groin last season. Barcelona team doctor Richard Pruna concentrated on the groin injury due to the previous problems there, but feels that after a special program for that area, Henry will be ready to join his teammates on July 21.

Henry, one of the premier strikers in the world, had been with Arsenal since 1999. In 364 games with the English Premier League team, he scored a club- record 226 goals. He missed much of last season because of the various injuries, but still scored 10 goals.

'It was the most difficult decision of my life,' Henry told the Arsenal website over the weekend about the decision to leave the club.

Henry helped Arsenal win two Premier League titles and three FA Cups. Arsenal also advanced to the finals of 2000 UEFA Cup and the 2006 Champions League.

'Arsenal will be in my blood as well as my heart. I will always, always, always remember you guys. I said I was going to be a Gunner for life and I did not lie because when you are a Gunner you will always be a Gunner. The club is in my heart and will remain in my heart forever.'

He led the Premier League in scoring four times, and was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year twice.

Henry, 29, still had three years left on his contract with Arsenal. Rumors about him leaving the club increased after Arsenal finished fourth in the Premier League for the second year in a row.

Barcelona finished tied with Real Madrid atop the Spanish La Liga, but lost the title on a tiebreaker on head-to-head results.

'Barcelona is a wonderful club steeped in tradition and it plays beautiful football,' said Henry. 'I'm sure I will be very happy there.'

Henry's career started when he was just 13 and joined French first division club Monaco in 1991. He didn't make his debut until the 1994-95 campaign but was voted French Young Player of the Year a season later.

In 1997, he scored nine goals in 36 matches to help Monaco to the French title. He earned his first cap for France's national team at the beginning of the following season.

He played in six of France's seven games during its 1998 World Cup triumph. He scored three first-round goals, but was on the bench for the 3-0 win against Brazil in the final.

Henry joined Juventus of the Italian Serie A in January of 1999 and started just 12 games before going to Arsenal for $20.99 million. He won his first Premier League scoring title in the 2001-02 season.

In 2004, he became the first to be named Player of the Year by the football writers in consecutive seasons after leading Arsenal to the first undefeated season in Premier League history.

Henry scored his 186th goal with Arsenal in 2005 to overtake Ian Wright as the club's all-time leading scorer.

He scored his 200th goal for the team in the 2005-06 season and captained the team to its first Champions League final, a 2-1 loss to Barcelona. He was again named writers' Player of the Year to become the only player to receive the honor three times.

© 2007 The Sports Network