Sport

Henry insists New York Red Bulls move 'is not a vacation'

July 15, 2010 Edition 1

Soccer

SECAUCUS: France striker Thierry Henry joined the New York Red Bulls yesterday in a move that echoed David Beckham's decision to turn his back on Europe for a new career in the US.

The 32-year-old former Arsenal and Barcelona star signed a "multi-year" deal to become the club's second designated player, making him exempt from the Major League Soccer salary cap.

He was a free agent after being released by Barcelona last month with a year remaining on his contract, having scored just four goals last season as he slipped out of the Spanish championship-winning team.

Like Beckham, who moved to Los Angeles Galaxy from Real Madrid in 2007, Henry was keen to play down suggestions the move was motivated by money or a desire to play in what is regarded as a less competitive league.

"This marks an exciting new chapter in my career and life," Henry said.

"Some people might think I am going to go there for vacation - I do actually go there for vacation - but it won't be for vacation this time.

"I'm a competitor and I don't like to lose. I am not going to say we are going to win every single game or we are going to win everything."

The Red Bulls are getting a player who has scored a national record 51 goals in 123 appearances for France, a club-record â goals in 370 games for Arsenal, and who was Barcelona's top scorer in the 2007-8 season - his first at the Camp Nou.

While the Red Bulls made a surprise run to the Major League Soccer title game in 2008 before losing to Columbus, they could hardly have been further from a championship last year - winning just five games, one more than the MLS record for the fewest wins in a season.

"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, general manager and sporting director of the Red Bulls.

"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 organisation the premium franchise in Major League Soccer."

As well as delivering the club's first title, the Red Bulls hope Henry can fill their new $200 million, 25 000-seat football-specific stadium alongside the Passaic River in Harrison, New Jersey.

Henry is set to make his debut next Thursday in a friendly against English Premier League club Tottenham.

The Red Bulls, who previously were known as the MetroStars, have a history of signing star players in the twilight of their careers. Italian Roberto Donadoni played for them in 1996 and 1997; Brazilian great Branco was with them in 1997; German Lothar Matthaus in 2000; and Frenchman Youri Djorkaeff was here in 2005 and 2006.

Henry is the team's second "designated player", alongside former Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel, who also has a deal that exceeds the salary cap under a league exemption.

"He's arguably one of the best players in our generation," Angel said. "He's a player that has won everything he could possibly win in this sport and he's still fit. I think it's an honour to have him here. He's going to be a tremendous addition to the league, to the Red Bulls."

Henry started his career with Monaco in 1994 and then had a short spell with Juventus in 1999 before being reunited with his former Monaco coach, Arsene Wenger, at Arsenal later that year. - Sapa-AP