Henry sets sail for New York

Thierry Henry is to play his club football outside Europe for the first time after quitting FC Barcelona for New York Red Bulls.

The Major League Soccer side say the 32-year-old has signed "a multi-year contract" and expect the France striker's debut to be against Tottenham Hotspur FC in an exhibition match on 22 July. Henry, part of France's squad at the FIFA World Cup, officially left Barcelona at the end of last month having joined from Arsenal FC in 2007.

In his three campaigns at Barcelona he helped them win two Liga titles and the 2009 UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and Copa del Rey. A French champion with AS Monaco FC in 1997, he had a brief spell at Juventus in 1998/99 before his switch to Arsenal where he scored a club record 226 goals and lifted two Premier League titles and three FA Cups.

France's all-time leading marksman with 51 goals in 123 senior appearances for Les Bleus, Henry won the 1998 World Cup and UEFA EURO 2000 to add to his 1996 UEFA European Under-18 Championship victory. Just as in the Premier League and Spanish Liga, Henry will come into domestic rivalry with Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham.

"This marks an exciting new chapter in my career and life," Henry said. "It is an honour to play for the New York Red Bulls. I am fully aware of the team's history and my sole goal during my time here is to help win the club its first championship."