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Thierry Henry retires: A complete factfile of the former Arsenal striker

Former Arsenal, Barcelona and New York Red Bulls striker announces his retirement aged 37

Agency
Tuesday 16 December 2014 11:51 GMT
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Thierry Henry is presented as an Arsenal player alongside Arsene Wenger in 1999
Thierry Henry is presented as an Arsenal player alongside Arsene Wenger in 1999 (Getty Images)

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Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has announced his retirement from football a 20-year career. Here, we take a look back over his illustrious time at the top of the game.

1977: Born August 17 in Paris.

1990: Joins French first division side Monaco as a 13-year-old.

1994: Makes top-flight debut against Nice on August 31, aged 17.

1996: December - Signs pre-contract with Real Madrid, who approach player through agent not registered with FIFA. The world body fines both player and Spanish club and annul agreement.

1997: May - Monaco win Ligue 1 title, with Henry having scored nine goals in 36 matches.

October 11 - Wins first French cap in friendly against South Africa in Lens.

1998: Plays for France in World Cup finals, scoring three goals in six matches, but remains on bench in 3-0 victory over Brazil in July 12 final.

1999: January 18 - Signs for Italian giants Juventus.

August 3 - Signs for Arsenal for £10.5million.

September 9 - Nets first goal for Gunners after coming on as substitute in victory at Southampton.

2000: June - Scores three times in five games in French Euro 2000 success, including the opener in semi-final clash with Portugal.

Henry was foiled by Francesco Toldo in the 2000 European Championship final

2002:

June 6 - Sent off for a late tackle against Uruguay during France's disappointing World Cup defence.

2003: April 27 - Named PFA Player of the Year.

2004: April 16 - Scores four against Leeds in the Premier League, taking him to 150 goals for Arsenal.

April 25 - Named PFA Player of the Year for second year in a row on the day Arsenal clinch title with 2-2 draw at Tottenham.

2005: October 18 - Equals Ian Wright's Arsenal record of 185 goals in a Champions League game against Sparta Prague, then scores a second to break the mark.

2006: May - Signs four-year deal following speculation linking him with Barcelona.

July - Ends the World Cup with three goals, with France losing the final to Italy on penalties.

2007: Feb 3 - Scores 226th and final goal for Gunners in a league draw against Middlesbrough.

June 25 - Signs for Barcelona for £16.1million.

September 19 - Scores his first goal for his new club in a 3-0 Champions League win over Lyon.

2009: May - Wins league, cup and Champions League treble with Barca.

November 18 - Earns widespread condemnation when he uses his hand in the build-up to crucial goal for France in their World Cup play-off against the Republic of Ireland. The goal books France's place in South Africa.

Henry uses his hand in the build-up to the winning goal against Ireland

2010:

January 18 - Fifa announces it will take no disciplinary action against Henry over handball.

June 20 - Part of the France squad which refuses to train after Nicolas Anelka was sent home following a bust-up with coach Raymond Domenech during a poor World Cup in South Africa.

July 14 - Joins MLS side New York Red Bulls on a "multi-year" contract.

July 15 - Confirms retirement from French national team, having scored 51 goals in 123 appearances.

August 28 - Scores first MLS goal in a 2-0 victory over San Jose Earthquakes.

2011: January 11 - Arsenal confirm Henry is training at the club during the MLS off-season but no agreement to sign the player is reached.

November 17 - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirms Henry is back training with the club.

December 10 - Arsenal unveil a bronze statue of Henry outside the Emirates Stadium as part of the club's 125th anniversary celebrations.

December 30 - Wenger confirms Henry will sign a two-month deal if an insurance agreement can be reached.

2012: January 6, 2012 - After training with Arsenal during MLS off-season, Henry re-signs for Gunners on a two-month loan deal. Makes his second Arsenal debut as a substitute against Leeds in FA Cup third round and scores the only goal of the tie. Scores the winning goal in stoppage time in a 2-1 win over Sunderland in his final league match on loan.

February 17 - Returns to New York Red Bulls to prepare for the new season and goes on to help them become champions of the regular season - the club's first major trophy in their 17-year history.

2014: December 1 - Leaves New York Red Bulls after four and a half years at the club.

December 16 - Announces retirement from football after glittering career and a new role as a pundit with Sky Sports.

PA

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