It's Barcelona for me, Henry confirms

PARIS, June 23, 2007 (AFP) - Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has confirmed reports that he is leaving the London club to play for Spanish giants Barcelona.

The 29-year-old French star told L'Equipe newspaper that the two clubs had reached agreement on his transfer, but that for the moment nothing had been signed ahead of him taking medical tests on Monday.

L'Equipe confirmed earlier reports that it would be a four-year deal worth 24 million euros (32 million dollars).

Henry said he had been disappointed that news of the mega deal had leaked on Friday before all the loose ends had been tied up "but some people quite clearly could not hold their tongues."

"I always made it clear that if I was to leave, the only club I would go to would be Arsenal," the Gunners skipper said.

"I chose Barcelona for the type of football they play, for the history of the club for the stadium they play in.

"Also for (coach) Frank Rijkaard for whom I have the greatest respect both as a player and a coach.

"It's true that for me it will be a new league championship, a new language but I chose Barcelona for all of those reasons."

Henry, Arsenal's leading all-time scorer with 226 goals in 369 games since moving to Highbury from Juventus eight years ago, said that the recent changes at Arsenal with the departure of vice-chairman David Dein had also been a factor in his deciding to move.

"That was the process that started the whole thing off and coloured my reasoning. I don't think many people realise just how important David Dein was to Arsenal.

"On top of that the fact that (coach) Arsene Wenger would not be extending his contract (which expires in June 2008) was also a very important matter to bear in consideration.

"These were the two people (Dein and Wenger) that I wanted to be in association with when I took the decision to sign a new contract at Arsenal last summer.

"I fully respect what has happened since, but I never thought it would happen like that."

Currently sidelined with an injury, Henry said that he hoped to resume full training in two weeks and be ready for Barcelona's start to preparations for the new season on July 20.

He also said he hoped to continue to play a full part in France's campaign to reach the Euro 2008 finals in Austrai and Switzerland.

Henry has played 92 times for his country and scored 39 goals.

Factfile on Thierry Henry

Name: Thierry Henry
Date of birth: 17/08/1977
Birthplace: Les Ulis, France
Height: 1.87m
Weight: 81kg
Position: Striker
Clubs: Monaco (FRA/1993-Dec 1998), Juventus (ITA/Jan 1999-July 1999), Arsenal (ENG/July 1999-June 2007), Barcelona (ESP/June 2007)

Trophies
French championship: 1997 (Monaco)
Premiership title: 2002, 2004 (Arsenal)
English FA Cup: 2002, 2003 (Arsenal)
Community Shield: 1999, 2002, 2004 (Arsenal)

International appearances: 92
International goals: 39
International debut: 11/10/1997, France-South Africa 2-1

Trophies
World Cup: 1998 winner; 2006 runner-up
European Championship: 2000 winner
Confederations Cup: 2003 winner