By Nina Mandell
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — He may not come with Posh Spice, but the New York Red Bulls soccer team has just acquired its own top European import.
In a deal rumored to have been in the works for years, Thierry Henry, 32, who in his heyday was one of the top players in the world, will be introduced by New York’s MLS team on Thursday, the Red Bulls announced.
After playing for top European league teams, including most recently for Barcelona, Henry's venture in the Major League Soccer is viewed by many experts as his last hurrah before retirement. But in a video released by the Red Bulls, he denied that he was coming to New York for an easy season.
"Some people might think I’m going to go there for vacation," he said, "but it won't be vacation this time. I'm a competitor."
Henry was picked up by the Red Bulls under the "designated player" tab, which allows them to sign three players outside of the league’s salary cap without paying a salary tax. The rule — which was put into place in order to help the Los Angeles Galaxy bring David Beckham to the United States — allows Henry to be paid as much $415,000 a year.
Henry’s career includes a 1998 World Cup win and a 2000 European Championship with France's national team.
Henry also won back-to-back Champions League titles with Arsenal in 2006 and was nominated as FIFA's Player of the Year twice. He left Arsenal for Barcelona in 2007, but not after making his mark with 226 goals, the most by any player in club history.
He will make his debut July 22 when the Red Bulls face Tottenham Hotspur in the Barclay’s New York Challenge.
"It is without question that Thierry Henry is one of the most successful and recognizable soccer players over the past 15 years," Dietmar Beiersdorfer, head of Red Bull Global Soccer said in a statement. "We are thrilled that Thierry has decided to come to New York to help the Red Bulls compete for championships this year and for years to come."
Henry, perhaps not to the same extent as Beckham was to Los Angeles, is expected to bring in a new wave of enthusiasm for the Red Bulls, who recently opened a new stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. The soccer star already counts numerous celebrities as friends and is considered one of the most marketable soccer stars in the world.
Following the official announcement, Phoenix Suns star Steve Nash tweeted his approval.
"A big welcome to a good friend Thierry Henry in joining the NY Redbull," he tweeted. "NYC'll love u as much as u love it. Put on a show for us in the US!!"
