Thierry Henry retires: A complete factfile of the former Arsenal striker

Former Arsenal, Barcelona and New York Red Bulls striker announces his retirement aged 37

Thierry Henry is presented as an Arsenal player alongside Arsene Wenger in 1999 (Getty Images)

Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has announced his retirement from football a 20-year career. Here, we take a look back over his illustrious time at the top of the game.

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.

Henry was foiled by Francesco Toldo in the 2000 European Championship final

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.

Henry uses his hand in the build-up to the winning goal against Ireland

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.

2012: 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.

2014: December 1 - 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.

PA