Former World Cup winner and Arsenal’s record goal-scorer Thierry Henry announced his retirement from soccer yesterday, bringing an end to a glittering 20-year career.

The 37-year-old Frenchman scored 51 goals in 123 appearances for his country as he helped them win the 1998 World Cup and European Championships in 2000, while picking up trophies with Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona and New York Red Bulls in a success-laden club career.

“It has been an incredible journey and I would like to thank all the fans, team-mates and individuals involved with Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona, the New York Red Bulls and, of course, the French national team that have made my time in the game so special,” he said in a statement.

“It is now time for a different career path.

“I have had some amazing memories (mostly good!) and a wonderful experience. I hope you have enjoyed watching as much as I have enjoyed taking part.”

He left the Red Bulls earlier this month at the end of his four-year contract in Major League Soccer, saying he needed time to contemplate his next move.

Yesterday Henry said he had taken up a role as a television pundit with Sky Sports in Britain starting next year.

The speedy winger made his name in England where he became one of Europe’s most feared strikers after Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger switched him to a central role following his arrival from Juventus.

He scored 228 goals for the Londoners in two spells, winning two English Premier League titles before moving to Spanish giants Barcelona where he won a pair of La Liga crowns and the Champions League in 2009.

Thierry Henry factbox...

• Born: Aug. 17, 1977 in Les Ulis.

• Joins French first division club Monaco as a 13-year-old in 1991, making his debut at the beginning of the 1994-95 season, under then manager Arsene Wenger.

• Voted French Young Player of the Year a season later and signs pre-contract with Real Madrid. However, as Real made the approach through an agent not registered with FIFA, the player and the club are fined and the deal is annulled.

• Scores nine goals in 36 matches to help Monaco to the French championship in 1997 and earns his first France cap the following year.

• Plays in six of France’s seven games in their 1998 World Cup victory on home soil, staying on the bench for the 3-0 final victory over Brazil.

• Moves to Juventus in January 1999 where he starts just 12 games before joining Arsenal only eight months later for £10.5 million.

• Henry scores three goals as France win Euro 2000.

• During his eight seasons at Arsenal, the club wins two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and he scores more than 200 goals. Henry also gets a host of personal awards, including the Football Writers’ Player of the Year accolade on three occasions.

• Left London in 2007 to join Barcelona, enjoying even more success as he won La Liga, King’s Cup, Champions League (2009) and World Club titles.

• Heavily criticised for a handball that helped France beat Ireland and qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

• Already France’s leading striker in internationals with 51 goals, he was selected for his fourth World Cup in South Africa but was left out of the starting side and his only appearances were as a substitute as France were eliminated in the first round.

• A few days after the World Cup ended, he announced he was quitting Europe to seek a fresh start in the United States with New York Red Bulls.

• Went back to Arsenal for a loan spell during the MLS off-season in 2012 before returning to New York having scored a career total of 228 goals from 377 games with the Gunners, 175 of them in the Premier League.

• Wins two Eastern Conference titles and a MLS Supporters’ Shield with the Red Bulls.

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