The scoreboards at Red Bull Arena announced the arrival of the club’s newest star: “Bienvenue Thierry Henry!”
From the French welcome to the foreign journalists on hand, Henry’s introduction to the Red Bulls of Major League Soccer had an international feel. But after retiring from the French national team, Henry is looking to make New York home.

“I’m just thrilled to be here,” said Henry, who is expected to make his Red Bulls debut Thursday against Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League. “Everybody knows that I love this city, but I can assure you that I came here to try to win.”

Henry’s signing is perhaps the most significant attraction to come to M.L.S. since David Beckham joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007. There is hope, in particular, that Henry (pronounced ON-ry) will spur interest in the New York area.

“There have been a lot of starts and stops for this sport in this city,” M.L.S. Commissioner Don Garber said. “I think this is a good opportunity to break through the clutter.”

Known for his technical ability and his nose for the goal, Henry was once considered among the top players in the world.

Henry received the Légion d’honneur, France’s highest decoration, when he was 20 and a member of the French squad that won the 1998 World Cup. With Arsenal, he became the top scorer in the Premier League a record four times, in 2002 and from 2004-6.

But Henry is coming off a disappointing season with Barcelona. He was a substitute in the World Cup for the dysfunctional French team.

“I don’t see any problem fitness-wise,” Red Bulls Coach Hans Backe said. “He’s only 32; he’s very capable. He’s not over the hill.”

NO SALE ON DONOVAN Don Garber said M.L.S. had no intention of accepting transfer offers for Landon Donovan.

“He’s become a real soccer hero,” Garber, the commissioner, said.

Donovan, a midfielder for the Los Angeles Galaxy, was the best player for the United States team at the World Cup. He struggled in previous stints with Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in Germany, but he attracted renewed attention with strong play in Europe when M.L.S. loaned him to Everton of the English Premier League.

Phil Neville, Everton’s captain, said last week that “I’ve spoken to Landon and I know for a fact that he wants to come back here.” (AP)

Comments

comments