After 4½ years with the club, Thierry Henry won’t return to the New York Red Bulls in 2015. The team and player announced the move Monday.
Thierry Henry arrived in New York an established international soccer star. He’s leaving the Big Apple as one of the best ever to don the colors of the New York Red Bulls.
The 37-year-old striker announced Monday, along with the team, that he won’t be back with the Red Bulls next season.
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Henry is the Red Bulls’ all-time assists leader with 42, is the franchise’s second-leading goal scorer with 51 and also holds franchise records for game-winning goals (14) and game-winning assists (11).
Henry was an MLS All-Star four times and was named to the Best XI in 2011 and 2012.
New York’s season ended Saturday when they were eliminated on aggregate by the New England Revolution in the Eastern Conference Championship. The 2-2 draw Saturday at Gillette Stadium came after the Red Bulls lost the first leg 2-1 at Red Bull Arena on Nov. 23.
"“I am taking this opportunity to announce that unfortunately Saturday was my last game for the New York Red Bulls,” Henry said. “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 from the progress of the team.”"
Club management was effusive in its praise of what Henry did in New York.
"“I would like to thank Thierry Henry for the incredible impact he has made on both our organization and the American soccer community as a whole,” said Red Bulls general manager Marc de Grandpre. “He is truly one of the all-time great talents and will forever hold a special place within the organization’s history.“We wish Thierry all the best for his future.”"
Henry came to the Red Bulls as their second designated player after being transferred by Barcelona of Spain’s La Liga.
He also has played professionally for Monaco in France’s Ligue 1, Juventus in Italy’s Serie A and Arsenal in the English Premier League.
Henry was also part of the French side that won the World Cup in 1998 and was runner-up to Germany in 2006.
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