Henry Moves to Barca for £16m

In a move that will break the hearts of many adoring Gunners fans, Thierry Henry's eight-year Arsenal career appeared over tonight following reports he has agreed to sign for Barcelona. Sources close to the Spanish club declared Henry, Arsenal's all-time record goalscorer, was close to finalising a four-year deal.

It appears that Henry, who featured in only 27 games at the Emirates Stadium this season due to injury, has finally decided that his future lies at the Camp Nou - the conclusion of a long-term courtship with Barca. Henry, who turns 30 in August, was reported to be seriously considering moving to Barcelona last summer, after Arsenal were defeated by Frank Rijkaard's side in the European Cup final. Eventually Henry - the then captain - signed a new four-year contract to Arsenal, promising his future to the club.

After another season without any silverware, and with other talents at the club - notably Cesc Fàbregas - contemplating moves away, Henry appears to have decided that the time is right to utilise his sublime talents elsewhere. The France World Cup winner and two-time European Golden Boot winner, heads to the Camp Nou at a time when the Catalan team are in need of a reshuffle after failing to win any trophies themselves this term.

Runner-up as Fifa world player of the year in 2003 and 2004, Henry admitted that the shock departure of vice-chairman David Dein at the end of last season had rocked the club. It may have been Dein's exit, which also caused Henry's long-time mentor, Arsène Wenger, to consider his future at Arsenal, which caused Henry to finally decide to jump ship at Arsenal.

Thirteen years ago Henry began his professional career as a winger with Monaco, under the guidance of Wenger. He was in France's 1998 World Cup winning squad, though he did not play in the final against Brazil, and joined Juventus the following season. Henry's time in Turin was largely fruitless, and he soon headed to north London to be reunited with his former boss Wenger, who was keen to get the most out of the prodigious talent.

After being moved to a more central attacking role, Henry helped Arsenal to win two league titles and three FA Cups, and led the Gunners to the finals of the 2000 Uefa Cup and 2006 Champions League. In February last year, he became the first Arsenal player to score over 200 goals for the club with a strike against Birmingham. Further, Henry has finished the Premier League's top scorer four times, while he has won the PFA Players' Player of the Year title twice and the football writers' player of the year thrice.