The recently rumored short-term loan of New York Red Bulls star striker Thierry Henry to Arsenal of the English Premier League, where Henry starred for many years, is about to become reality. A report says the deal is "pending approval of certain paperwork" and that the Red Bulls have OK'd the move.
Henry played for Arsenal from 1999-2007 before moving on to Barcelona and eventually to the Red Bulls. He is Arsenal's all-time leading scorer with 226 goals. Henry has been working out with Arsenal, and with the team short-handed due to international call-ups the team has determined that the 34-year-old is still fit enough to help them.
Luke Rodgers, Henry's teammate with the Red Bulls, agrees with that assessment:
"Thierry is pretty much the same player he was at Arsenal," Rodgers was quoted by the Matt Law of the Express in England on Friday.
"It’s hard to say whether he has lost a yard of pace, but he’s certainly still a lot quicker than me! I’m convinced he will be a big plus point for Arsenal and that he’s still more than capable of playing in the Premier League."
Henry had 15 goals and five assists for the Red Bulls in 29 games in 2011. The transfer window opens on Jan. 1.