HARRISON, NJ (December 1, 2014) – Thierry Henry officially announced Monday morning that he will not return to the New York Red Bulls for the 2015 season. With Thierry Henry leaving New York, the Red Bulls enter a new era without arguably the franchise’s greatest player ever.
Henry spent four and a half seasons with the New York Red Bulls after signing as a designated player on July 14, 2010. The forward leaves the club as the all-time leader in assists with 42, is second all-time in scoring with 51 goals and is towards the top of nearly every offensive category in franchise history. Henry helped New York secure its first major hardware in franchise history as well, leading the team to the Supporters’ Shield in 2013.
“On behalf of the New York Red Bulls 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 New York 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.”
“Thierry Henry, an icon of the world’s game, has been a wonderful player for the New York Red Bulls and a major influence on the development of MLS,” said New York Red Bulls Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh.
“It has been a privilege to have watched Thierry’s illustrious career unfold since he was 17 years old, and it has been a particular joy to watch him, at close quarters, lead the New York Red Bulls over the last two seasons. We sincerely wish him all the best for his future.”
Henry made 122 appearances for New York, good for ninth on the club’s all-time appearances list. Of the 122 appearances, 118 were starts, placing him seventh all-time and his 10,403 minutes position him seventh all-time as well.
Along with being the all-time leader in assists, Henry leads the club in game-winning goals (14) and game-winning assists (11) and was named the team’s MVP in 2012.
From a league perspective, Henry was named an MLS All-Star four times (2011-2014) and captained the team in 2013. Henry was a finalist for the league’s MVP award in 2012 and was named to the MLS Best XI in 2011 and 2012.
The captain led the Red Bulls to the postseason in all five seasons with the club and most recently led the club to the Conference Championship for the first time since 2008. Henry made 13 appearances (12 starts) in the postseason while scoring one goal and recording seven assists.
Henry’s place in the Red Bulls’ record books:
Games Played: 122 – Ninth
Games Started: 118 – Seventh
Goals: 51 – Second
Assists: 42 – First
Game-winning goals: 14 – First
Game-winning assists: 11 – First
Shots: 361 – First
Shots on goal: 137 – Second
Corner kicks: 257 – Third
Multi-goal games: 7 – Third
Goals per game: 0.42 – Fifth
Assists per game: 0.34 – Second
Official statement from Thierry Henry:
I am taking this opportunity to announce that unfortunately Saturday was my last game for the New York Red Bulls. 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.
I have immensely enjoyed my four and half years here and would like to thank everyone involved with this club who has made my time here so enjoyable.
Thanks must go particularly to Erik Soler, Hans Backe, Gerard Houllier, Andy Roxburgh, Mike Petke, all my team mates, the technical staff, medical staff, all the personnel who work for the Red Bull organization, the MLS and of course the owner Mr Mateschitz whose vision and passion brought me to this wonderful city.
A special mention must go to the Red Bull fans who have supported this team through the good, the bad and the ugly times in the sun, rain and snow. You guys have really meant a lot to me and thank you for all your wonderful support.
I will now take the next few weeks to reflect and decide on the next chapter of my career.
Thank you all
Thierry Henry
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Image Credit: Bill Twomey/New York Red Bulls
