Red Bulls sign Thierry Henry!

French striker Thierry Henry has joined the MLS New York Red Bulls in a multi-year deal.

In Wednesday's announcement, the team says that the 32-year-old former Arsenal and Barcelona player will make his debut July 22 in an exhibition against Premier League club Tottenham.

"Some people might think I am going to go there for vacation -- I do actually go there for vacation -- but it won't be for vacation this time," Henry said in a video interview on the club website. "I'm a competitor and I don't like to lose. I am not going to say we are going to win every single game or we are going to win everything."






Henry was released by Barcelona last month after scoring just four goals last season -- his third at the Spanish champions.

"This marks an exciting new chapter in my career and life," Henry said.

Henry is set to make his Red Bulls debut on July 22 in a friendly against Premier League club Tottenham.

"Thierry is not only a world-class player who will undoubtedly improve our squad, but he has shown most importantly throughout his career that he is a winner," said Erik Soler, general Manager and sporting director of the Red Bulls. "He has made it clear to us that he is committed in the short- and long-term to help in our vision of making our organization the premium franchise in Major League Soccer."

Henry will be introduced at a news conference Thursday at Red Bull Arena.

With France, Henry won the World Cup in 1998 and the 2000 European Championship, but sparked outrage last year when his handball during a playoff match helped to deny Ireland a spot at this year's World Cup.

At the finals in South Africa, France went out at the group stage after the team was beset by a player protest.

Henry guided Arsenal to the Premier League title in both 2002 and 2004 before leaving in 2007 to join Barcelona, where he won six trophies in 2009 -- the Champions League, the Spanish league, the Copa del Rey, the Spanish Supercup, the UEFA Supercup and the FIFA Club World Cup.