The New York Red Bulls have signed Thierry Henry from Barcelona on a "multi-year contract", the Major League Soccer club have confirmed. The 32-year-old former Arsenal captain moved to the Nou Camp in 2007 and had one year remaining on his Barca contract, but the club agreed last month that he could leave.

"Red Bull New York announced today that it has signed star French forward Thierry Henry to a multi-year contract as its second designated player," the club said today in a statement on their website.

He is expected to make his debut on July 22 against Tottenham at Red Bull Arena.

The statement continued: "Henry, a World Cup, European Championship and UEFA Champions League winner, will be available for selection for New York pending receipt of his international transfer certificate and after the July 15 international transfer window.

"His debut for the Red Bulls is expected to be on July 22 against English Premiership club, Tottenham Hotspur, in the Barclays New York Challenge at Red Bull Arena."

Henry will be introduced at a press conference on Thursday at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey at 1315 local time (1815 BST).

The Frenchman is relishing the challenge ahead.

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

"It is an honour to play for the New York Red Bulls. I am fully aware of the team's history and my sole goal during my time here is to help win the club its first championship.

"Knowing Red Bull's significant commitment to soccer locally and internationally, I am confident that my team-mates and I will succeed."

Erik Soler, Red Bull New York general manager and sporting director, was equally thrilled with the acquisition.

"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 Soler.

"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 organisation the premium franchise in Major League Soccer."

Dietmar Beiersdorfer, head of Red Bull Global Soccer, added: "It is without question that Thierry Henry is one of the most successful and recognisable soccer players over the past 15 years.

"We are thrilled that Thierry has decided to come to New York to help the Red Bulls compete for championships this year and for years to come. His international pedigree is second to none and he is a proven winner."

Henry, who has scored a national record 51 goals in 123 appearances for France, competed at his fourth World Cup last summer but was unable to prevent Les Bleus crashing out in the group stage in South Africa.

He started his career with Monaco in 1994 and then had a short spell with Juventus in 1999 before being reunited with his former Monaco coach Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.

Wenger transformed Henry's career by transforming him from a winger to a striker and reaped the dividends over the next eight years as the player helped Arsenal to two league titles and three FA Cups, and he became the club's all-time record goalscorer.

He switched to Barcelona three years ago and was top scorer at the Nou Camp in his first season and was an integral part of the squad that clinched six trophies in 2008/09 under rookie coach Pep Guardiola.

His first-team opportunities were limited last term, however, and outgoing president Joan Laporta confirmed in May he would be allowed to leave if he wished to do so.

Henry is the League's biggest signing since David Beckham's arrival at the LA Galaxy in 2007 and MLS is expecting a similar boon in interest and income.

"Thierry Henry is a global icon who has had success at all levels of soccer, whether it is with his club or winning the World Cup for his country," Dan Courtemanche, senior vice-president of marketing and communications for MLS and its commercial arm Soccer United Marketing, told The Sport Briefing.

"To have a player of his stature come to play in Major League Soccer and compete with the Red Bulls is only going to further elevate the profile of the game in our country.

"And we believe it is going to positively impact all areas of our business, including attendance, TV ratings, corporate sponsorship, licensed merchandise and other aspects.

"A player of Henry's stature will generate global exposure for the Red Bulls and Major League Soccer, and that is certainly going to have a positive impact on the sport in the United States and Canada."

Courtemanche admitted marquee signings like Henry and Beckham are "most definitely" part of Major League Soccer's plan to aid growth, but insisted the League hopes to start producing to its own world-class players over the next decade through its recently developed academy structure.

However, he hailed such "international stars" for their impact on MLS, which he believes will help the League fulfil its potential.

"We're 15 seasons into our development and right now we're continuing as an emerging soccer league in the global footprint," he added.

"But our goal is to be one of the world's elite soccer leagues.

"It's not going to happen tomorrow and it's not going to happen in the next five years, but could it happen within the next 20 or 30 years? Most definitely.

"Our ownership is committed to that and we've seen the addition of international stars such as Henry elevate the profile of Major League Soccer, but ultimately it is the infrastructure (that will help us succeed)."