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Thierry Henry Given Permission To Leave Barcelona
First France crisis, now this...
Jun 28, 2010 4:02:00 PM
By Alex Young
Barcelona have agreed a deal with Thierry Henry to allow the France international to leave the Catalan club this summer, a year before his contract was due to run out.
Henry has struggled to break into Josep Guardiola’s first-team last season, making just 21 appearances and scoring just 4 goals, after the immergence of Pedro Rodriguez.
The writing seemed be on the wall for Henry’s exit last month when Barcelona added Valencia striker David Villa to their attacking ranks, pushing the 32-year-old being Villa, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and youngster Bojan Krkic.
The La Liga champions' director general Joan Oliver said, "It was a special position with the player and we have accepted.
"For Barca it is not a bad agreement because we avoid paying him next season."
This latest announcement sums up a horrendous 7 days for Henry, with France being knocked out of the World Cup in the group stages, the inexplicable fractions within the national side during the tournament, which Henry appeared to be at the centre of, and then having to speak to the French president Nicolas Sarkozy about the whole episode.
West Ham are rumoured to be interested in signing the now free agent, but a move to America, specifically MLS side New York Red Bulls, has long been touted with the latter considered the favourites to land the former Arsenal striker’s signature.
How will the tournament go? Check out Castrol Football's 2010 FIFA World Cup Tournament Predictor.
For all the latest transfer news visit Goal.com's Transfer Zone and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Henry has struggled to break into Josep Guardiola’s first-team last season, making just 21 appearances and scoring just 4 goals, after the immergence of Pedro Rodriguez.
The writing seemed be on the wall for Henry’s exit last month when Barcelona added Valencia striker David Villa to their attacking ranks, pushing the 32-year-old being Villa, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and youngster Bojan Krkic.
The La Liga champions' director general Joan Oliver said, "It was a special position with the player and we have accepted.
"For Barca it is not a bad agreement because we avoid paying him next season."
This latest announcement sums up a horrendous 7 days for Henry, with France being knocked out of the World Cup in the group stages, the inexplicable fractions within the national side during the tournament, which Henry appeared to be at the centre of, and then having to speak to the French president Nicolas Sarkozy about the whole episode.
West Ham are rumoured to be interested in signing the now free agent, but a move to America, specifically MLS side New York Red Bulls, has long been touted with the latter considered the favourites to land the former Arsenal striker’s signature.
How will the tournament go? Check out Castrol Football's 2010 FIFA World Cup Tournament Predictor.
For all the latest transfer news visit Goal.com's Transfer Zone and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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