The story of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry in 100 photos

Henry won two league titles and three FA Cups at Arsenal. Credit: PA

Thierry Henry has announced his retirement from football and will return to London to take up a role in the media.

The 37-year-old former Arsenal striker left the New York Red Bulls at the start of the month after they were knocked out of the MLS play-offs, but there was speculation he might choose to play on at another club - with a return to the Gunners mooted.

However, the former France international and World Cup winner has instead called time on a trophy-laden career which included spells with Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal, Barcelona and the Red Bulls.

Here, we look back at the Arsenal legend's incredible career with 100 images spanning nearly 20 years.

A 2-2 draw at Caen secured the French title for Henry and Monaco in May 1997. Credit: Reuters
International recognition soon followed, with Henry winning the first of his 123 caps in June 1997 aged 19. Credit: Reuters
He helped France clinch the 1998 World Cup on home soil... Credit: PA
Henry ended the tournament as French top scorer with three goals. Credit: Reuters
Henry joined Juventus in 1999 but failed to make an impact in an uncharacteristic wide position, scoring three goals in 16 games. Credit: PA
Arsene Wenger took advantage by signing Henry for Arsenal in the summer of 1999. Credit: Reuters
Wenger knew he'd bought a special talent and decided to play Henry through the middle. Credit: Reuters
He scored 26 goals in the 1999/00 campaign, linking up majestically with Dennis Bergkamp. Credit: PA
Henry quickly established himself as a fan's favourite at Highbury. Credit: Reuters
Defenders soon learned that Henry was a lethal goalscorer. Credit: PA
He was France's top scorer again as they won Euro 2000. Credit: Reuters
France and Henry were dominating world football. Credit: PA
Everyone wanted a piece of the trophy. Credit: Reuters
Henry confronted referee Graham Poll following a 3-1 defeat against Newcastle in December 2001. Credit: Reuters
And received a three match ban at a hearing. Credit: Reuters
Even so, Henry ended the historic 2001/02 season with 32 goals. Credit: PA
Arsenal were crowned Premier League Champions. Credit: Reuters
It was a double winning year as Arsenal beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final. Credit: Reuters
The trophy made a nice hat for Thierry. Credit: Reuters
Top scorer Henry had booked his place in the history books. Credit: PA
But sadly, the 2002 World Cup was not so kind. Henry was dismissed for a sliding tackle in France's second match, and the reigning champions were sent packing at the group stage. Credit: Reuters
Goals, goals and more goals followed. Henry scored another 32 for Arsenal in 2002/03. Credit: Reuters
And took time to meet some fans during matches. Credit: Reuters
At times, he was took quick for his own good... crashing in to the advertising boards. Credit: PA
Arsenal won consecutive FA Cup trophies. Credit: PA
With the King of cool at the centre of things. Credit: PA
Henry was delighted with his 2003 PFA Player of the Year award. Credit: PA
Security was tight as he married English model Nicole Merry in Berkshire. Credit: PA
He pipped Ronaldo to second place and finished just behind compatriot Zidane at the 2003 World Player of the Year bash. Credit: PA
Henry's greatest goalscoring season saw him net 39 times in 2003/04. Credit: PA
The striker was hot property on and off the pitch. Credit: PA
He was chosen by Pele as one of the greatest living footballers. Credit: PA
Tempers sometimes flared, particularly against great rivals Man United. Credit: PA
More often than not, it was Henry celebrating. Credit: PA
Arsenal won the league at White Hart Lane. Credit: PA
And this time Thierry used it as a backpack. Credit: PA
And this man was the hero, once again. Credit: PA
Henry won the golden boot and was crowned player of the year. Credit: Reuters
Another PFA Player of the Year award, too. Credit: PA
Henry was already being considered as Arsenal's greatest ever player. Credit: Reuters
He scored two goals the Euro 2004, but France were knocked out by Greece in the last eight. Credit: Reuters
Another 30 goals followed in 2004/05. Credit: PA
Henry partnership with Bergkamp is arguably the greatest in Premier League history. Credit: PA
Henry was injured for the 2005 FA Cup final, which the Gunners won against Man United. Credit: PA
Arsenal lost out to Chelsea in the 2005 Community Shield. Credit: PA
The 2005/06 campaign saw another 33 goals for Henry in all competitions. Credit: PA
When Thierry played, the goals kept flowing. Credit: Reuters
Henry broke Arsenal's goalscoring records. Credit: PA
His Champions League performances were just as special as those in the Premier League. Credit: PA
He helped the Gunners dump his former club Juventus out on their way to the semi-final. Credit: PA
But the 2005/06 campaign proved a frustrating one. Arsenal missed out on the league title. Credit: PA
And lost the Champions League final to Barcelona. Credit: PA
It was a difficult defeat to accept. Credit: PA
It was the one trophy that proved elusive at Arsenal. Credit: Reuters
There was more disappointment when France lost the 2006 World Cup final to Italy. Credit: PA
All the stars wanted to meet Thierry. Credit: PA
Including the Queen! Credit: PA
But the trophies dried up at Arsenal. Credit: PA
The Gunners moved to the Emirates. Credit: PA
But Henry's incredible career in London was coming to an end. Credit: PA
He joined Spanish giants Barcelona in 2007. Credit: Reuters
And received a hero's welcome. Credit: Reuters
Henry scored 19 goals in his first season. Credit: PA
France were eliminated at the group stage of Euro 2008. Credit: PA
Henry bagged 26 goals for the Catalans in 2008/09. Credit: PA
Messi and Henry formed an incredible duo. Credit: Reuters
He won the first of two Spanish league titles. Credit: Reuters
Messi and Henry helped Barcelona to win Europe's top prize. Credit: PA
He finally lifted the Champions League trophy, beating Man United in the final. Credit: PA
Henry's collection of trophies was almost complete. Credit: PA
The UEFA Super Cup followed. Credit: PA
He made headlines for the wrong reasons in 2009 when his handball helped France qualify for the 2010 World Cup at Ireland's expense. Credit: PA
Another Spanish league title followed in 2009/10 when Henry bagged four goals. Credit: Reuters
It proved to be his last season at Barcelona. Credit: Reuters
Fittingly, perhaps. France were eliminated at the 2010 World Cup group stage, with Henry starting matches on the bench. Credit: PA
Henry failed to score at the tournament. Credit: Reuters
He joined MLS side New York Red Bulls in 2010. Credit: Reuters
Henry spent four years with the MLS team, scoring 52 times. Credit: Reuters
He was loving life in the Big Apple. Credit: Reuters
He played with Becks in a 2011 All Star game. Credit: PA
He returned to Arsenal for the Emirates Cup. Credit: PA
And then rejoined Arsenal on loan, scoring a FA Cup winner on his second debut for the club. Credit: Reuters
It was an emotional moment for the Gunners legend. Credit: PA
Who ran over to Arsene Wenger to celebrate. Credit: PA
He scored another crucial late goal in the Premier League at Sunderland. Credit: Reuters
Henry proved that age had not broken his eye for goal. Credit: PA
The Gunners were thrilled to see their hero back. Credit: PA
He gave Arsenal's new strikers some friendly advice. Credit: PA
A statue of the legend was unveiled outside the Emirates in December 2011. Credit: PA
Fans came from far and wide to pose with their hero. Credit: PA
Meanwhile, the goals kept flowing in New York. Credit: Reuters
Henry remained hot property off the field, too. Credit: PA
He helped New York Red Bulls win the MLS Supporters' Shield in 2013 and MLS Eastern Conference in 2010 and 2013. Credit: PA
Henry often watched the New York Knicks. Credit: PA
He helped the Red Bulls beat Arsenal 1-0 in a 2014 pre-season friendly. Credit: Reuters