Thierry Henry has confirmed he will quit Major League Soccer (MLS) club, New York Red Bulls after four-and-a-half years stateside.
The former Arsenal striker revealed he would now “take the next few weeks to reflect” before deciding on his next career move following his final match on Saturday- a 2-2 draw with the New England Revolution, which completed a 4-3 aggregate loss to the latter in the Eastern Conference playoff of the MLS Cup.
Henry said in his statement: “The decision has always been that I would leave after the duration of my contract and although that was never going to change, I didn’t want it to distract me from the progress of the team.
“I have immensely enjoyed my four-and-a-half years here and would like to thank everyone involved with this club who has made my time here so enjoyable.
The 37-year-old won the World Cup with France on home soil in 1998. His only Uefa Champions League winner’s medal came in Barcelona’s victory over Manchester United in the 2009 Rome final.
Henry won two Premier League titles with the Gunners during his spell at the north London club, spanning between 1999 and 2007. He returned to Arsenal on loan in 2012 and featured in four matches, including a substitute appearance in an FA Cup third round win over Leeds, where he scored the match-winning goal.
In a recent interview with French newspaper L’Equipe last month, he hinted at another return to the Emirates Stadium.
He said: “I have not taken any decision and speculation is not my thing. One thing is certain: I will stay in football, as a coach, a consultant or executive. We will see.
“The second certainty is that I would love to see Arsenal win the Champions League. Whether that is from near or far does not depend on me, but it is sure I’d like to help. This is my club and, as a player, I was not able to give them the Champions League.”
