Thierry Henry announces retirement from Professional Football @ the age of 37,

Thierry Henry announces retirement from football... and joins Sky Sports as a pundit

• Arsenal legend quits football after leaving New York Red Bulls
• Thierry Henry will join Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher at Sky Sports
• Henry is the top scorer in Arsenal's history 
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Thierry Henry has brought an end to his illustrious playing career by announcing his retirement from professional football. 

The former Arsenal striker left New York Red Bulls at the end of the MLS season and he will now take up a position at Sky Sports as a pundit.

The French forward joins Sky's already strong line-up of analysts including Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and Jamie Redknapp.

Thierry Henry was Arsenal's leading scorer with 228 goals, 175 of those in the Premier League

Henry has been confirmed as a full-time pundit for Sky Sports 

Henry will be remembered as one of the best strikers the Premier League has ever seen after what he achieved at Arsenal.

Having moved to north London from Juventus in 1999, the Frenchman spent eight years as a Gunner and became a legend at the club.

Henry is the highest scorer in Arsenal's history with 228 goals in all competitions, 175 of those coming in the Premier League.

He helped Arsene Wenger's side win the Premier League and FA Cup double in 2002 and was also part of the invincible title-winning team of 2004.

Wenger: Thierry Henry WILL return to Arsenal... but not as a...

Henry will be remembered as one of the best strikers ever to grace the Premier League

The French forward left New York Red Bulls at the end of the MLS season after four years there

Henry and his former Arsenal and France team-mate Robert Pires train at London Colney late last year

Henry (second right) worked for the BBC as a pundit during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil

The forward then spent three years at Barcelona, winning two La Liga titles and the Champions League, before moving to New York Red Bulls in 2010.

He returned to Arsenal for a loan spell in January 2012, scoring the winner against Leeds in the FA Cup and Sunderland in the league.

But Henry's four-year stay in New York has now come to an end, and he will take up a role as an analyst with Sky Sports.

The Frenchman said: 'I’ve been fortunate enough to have had an amazing playing career with many incredible memories and now I can’t wait for the next chapter to begin with Sky Sports.

'I played for some of the best teams in football and now I’m joining what I think is the best team in television. I’m looking forward to joining the guys and helping to provide Sky Sports viewers with the best possible analysis. I can’t wait.'  

Henry celebrates after scoring at the San Siro in a 5-1 victory for Arsenal in 2003

The Frenchman celebrates his famous goal at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid in the Champions League

Henry returned to Arsenal for a loan spell from New York Red Bulls in January 2012

Henry had been tipped to go into management once he hung up his boots and while he will be joining Sky in the studio, he has not ruled out a career in the dugout. 

He told Sky Sports: 'I don’t know if I can be a good coach or not, but the desire is there. We’ll see. Just because you can play the game doesn’t mean you can teach it - dealing with egos and lifting people.'

But Henry did admit he did not think a third return to Arsenal was not a good idea. 

'We didn’t talk too much about that,’ said Henry. ‘How many comebacks do you make? It would have turned into a bad movie. It would have been like the film Rocky, you like the first one but what about the last one?' 

Thierry Henry nostalgic about Arsenal in emotional interview...

Henry scored on his second debut as his winner saw off Leeds in the FA Cup at the Emirates Stadium

The French striker scored the winner against Sunderland in his final Premier League game for Arsenal

Henry left Arsenal in 2007 and spent three years at Barcelona, where he won the Champions League

Sportsmail columnist and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher said: 'Defenders everywhere will be breathing a sigh of relief that he has hung his boots up. 

'He was certainly the toughest opponent I ever faced and possibly the best player the Premier League has seen. I would have loved him to be on the same team as me during my playing career, I’m delighted we’re finally on the same side.'

And Sportsmail and Sky's Jamie Redknapp added: 'I know from playing against Thierry how good a player he was and Sky Sports viewers are in for a treat. 

'His game was built around incredible pace, power and finishing, not to mention the ability to read the game better than most. His views will be fascinating and I can’t wait to work alongside him.'

Theo Walcott was on Twitter after hearing the news, thanking Henry for inspiring him at Arsenal.

The England ace said: 'A true inspiration to me in my career. Thank you @Thierryhenry & good luck in your new path with @skysports.'

THIERRY HENRY FACTFILE 

1977: Born August 17 in Paris.

1990: Joins French first division side Monaco as a 13-year-old.

1994: Makes top-flight debut against Nice on August 31, aged 17.

1996: December - Signs pre-contract with Real Madrid, who approach player through agent not registered with FIFA. The world body fines both player and Spanish club and annul agreement.

1997: May - Monaco win Ligue 1 title, with Henry having scored nine goals in 36 matches.

October 11 - Wins first French cap in friendly against South Africa in Lens.

1998: Plays for France in World Cup finals, scoring three goals in six matches, but remains on bench in 3-0 victory over Brazil in July 12 final.

1999: January 18 - Signs for Italian giants Juventus.

August 3 - Signs for Arsenal for £10.5million.

September 9 - Nets first goal for Gunners after coming on as substitute in victory at Southampton.

2000: June - Scores three times in five games in French Euro 2000 success, including the opener in semi-final clash with Portugal.

2002: June 6 - Sent off for a late tackle against Uruguay during France's disappointing World Cup defence.

2003: April 27 - Named PFA Player of the Year.

2004: April 16 - Scores four against Leeds in the Premier League, taking him to 150 goals for Arsenal.

April 25 - Named PFA Player of the Year for second year in a row on the day Arsenal clinch title with 2-2 draw at Tottenham.

2005: October 18 - Equals Ian Wright's Arsenal record of 185 goals in a Champions League game against Sparta Prague, then scores a second to break the mark.

2006: May - Signs four-year deal following speculation linking him with Barcelona.

July - Ends the World Cup with three goals, with France losing the final to Italy on penalties.

2007: Feb 3 - Scores 226th and final goal for Gunners in a league draw against Middlesbrough.

June 25 - Signs for Barcelona for £16.1million.

September 19 - Scores his first goal for his new club in a 3-0 Champions League win over Lyon.

2009: May - Wins league, cup and Champions League treble with Barca.

November 18 - Earns widespread condemnation when he uses his hand in the build-up to crucial goal for France in their World Cup play-off against the Republic of Ireland. The goal books France's place in South Africa.

2010: January 18 - FIFA announces it will take no disciplinary action against Henry over handball.

June 20 - Part of the France squad which refuses to train after Nicolas Anelka was sent home following a bust-up with coach Raymond Domenech during a poor World Cup in South Africa.

July 14 - Joins MLS side New York Red Bulls on a "multi-year" contract.

July 15 - Confirms retirement from French national team, having scored 51 goals in 123 appearances.

August 28 - Scores first MLS goal in a 2-0 victory over San Jose Earthquakes.

2011: January 11 - Arsenal confirm Henry is training at the club during the MLS off-season but no agreement to sign the player is reached.

November 17 - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirms Henry is back training with the club.

December 10 - Arsenal unveil a bronze statue of Henry outside the Emirates Stadium as part of the club's 125th anniversary celebrations.

December 30 - Wenger confirms Henry will sign a two-month deal if an insurance agreement can be reached.

January 6, 2012 - After training with Arsenal during MLS off-season, Henry re-signs for Gunners on a two-month loan deal. Makes his second Arsenal debut as a substitute against Leeds in FA Cup third round and scores the only goal of the tie. Scores the winning goal in stoppage time in a 2-1 win over Sunderland in his final league match on loan.

February 17 - Returns to New York Red Bulls to prepare for the new season and goes on to help them become champions of the regular season - the club's first major trophy in their 17-year history.

December 1, 2014 - Leaves New York Red Bulls after four and a half years at the club.

December 16 - Announces retirement from football after glittering career and a new role as a pundit with Sky Sports.