Arsenal FC

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Henry confirms Barca deal

23 Jun 2007 - 09:06:15

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Arsenal captain Thierry Henry has confirmed that he is on the verge of ending his glorious spell with the Gunners to join Spanish giants Barcelona.

Rumours began to circulate on Friday evening that the France international had agreed a four-year contract with Barca, with a fee of around £16million having been settled on by the two clubs.

Now Henry, 29, has confirmed that he only needs to pass a medical to complete his switch to the Camp Nou.

He told The Sun: "Arsene Wenger has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.

"Unfortunately and understandably he has said that at this moment he will not commit to the club past the expiration of his current deal, which finishes at the end of the coming season.

"I respect his decision and his honesty, but I will be 31 at the end of next season and I cannot take the chance to be there without Arsene Wenger and David Dein.

"This is solely my decision, no-one has forced me to do anything and I will represent myself in this transaction. I feel it is something I just had to do.

"Barcelona are a wonderful club steeped in tradition and play beautiful football. I'm sure I will be very happy there.

"But I will miss the Arsenal fans dearly, they have supported me through thick and thin.

"They will always be in my heart, as will all the fans who make the game here so special. I will always have a special bond with Arsenal Football Club."

Henry joined the Gunners in the summer of 1999 for around £10million from Juventus and went on to score an incredible 226 goals in 364 appearances for the North London club.

He won the PFA Players' Player of the Year award twice and the football writers' title three times, while aiding Arsenal clinch two Premier League crowns, three FA Cup final successes and reach the final of the 2006 Champions League.