Henry touches down in Barcelona
BARCELONA, Spain: France striker Thierry Henry passed a medical at Barcelona on Monday paving the way for him to complete his move from Arsenal.
"He has passed all the tests satisfactorily," said Barcelona team doctor Ricard Pruna. "There are no problems, everything is in order. Henry has no injury or after-effect that prevents him from joining the club."
The 29-year-old was to sign a four-year contract with the Primera Liga team later in the day and then be presented to fans and the media at the Nou Camp.
Arsenal's Thierry Henry poses outside Barcelona football club on Sunday. The 29-year-old will undergo a medical at the Nou Camp on Monday before visiting the stadium and taking his first steps on the pitch in Barca's dark blue and red jersey during a open session before the public. The four-year deal, believed to be worth 24 million euros ($32 million), will however be subject to the medical and the completion of formalities. AFP |
Sources at the club have said Barcelona will pay 24 million euros ($32.29 million) for the striker who had been at Arsenal since 1999.
Henry suffered foot, back, stomach and groin injuries in England last season, and a sciatic nerve proved to be a long-standing problem that forced Arsenal to rule their captain out of the campaign from March.
"We paid particular attention to the groin area because we are aware of the problems he has had there," said Pruna. "We believe it is due to an imbalance in the muscle groups in the area."
"He will undergo a special program in Paris to redress the imbalance in the area so that he can join up with the rest of the team on July 21."
Henry arrived in Spain on Sunday and spoke of his pride at joining the Catalan club.
"It is an honor to be here and I am sure I will represent FC Barcelona the best I can," the 29-year-old told the club's television station.
"It means a lot to come here and play with some of the best players in the world. It is incredible and I am looking forward to playing in the Nou Camp and helping the team in every way I can," he added.
He was greeted at the airport by Barcelona vice-president Ferran Soriano who immediately whisked him to the Nou Camp.
Gudjohnsen ready to fight
Meanwhile, Iceland striker Eidur Gudjohnsen has no plans to leave Barcelona despite a disappointing first season in the Primera Liga.
The 28-year-old has been linked with a move back to England in the Spanish media after only managing five league goals since moving from Chelsea on a four-year, 12 million euro ($16 million) deal last June.
"There is a lot of speculation but I haven't spoken to anyone and am only thinking of continuing here," Gudjohnsen told sports daily Mundo Deportivo yesterday.
The imminent arrival of Henry is set to make Gudjohnsen's life even harder next year, though Argentina's Javier Saviola is leaving.
Henry will bolster a forward line that already boasts Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o, Brazil's Ronaldinho and Argentina's Lionel Messi.
But Gudjohnsen remained positive about his prospects.
"There were high expectations when I arrived and it's normal that when a striker doesn't score many goals people expect more of you. I also expect more from myself," he added.
In addition to Henry, Barcelona are also looking to strength the side with the signing of Ivory Coast international Yaya Toure.
AFP and agencies
(China Daily 06/26/2007 page23)
