BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -Thierry Henry completed his move to FC Barcelona from Arsenal after passing a medical exam Monday.
"I'm really pleased to be here, it's been a long chase but I'm finally here ... and can't wait to show what I can do for the fans," Henry said. "Hopefully I can be a great asset to the team."
Barcelona paid ?24 million (US$32 million) for Henry, who agreed to a four-year deal with the Catalan club.
"I always said that if I ever leave Arsenal, it would be to play for Barcelona. It's no disrespect to anybody, it's my choice," Henry said. "The way Barcelona plays, the fans, just being here and what I'm noticing now, it's outstanding."
Henry was introduced with his usual No. 14, but the number was set on the blue and red stripes of Barcelona.
Earlier, the France striker underwent medical tests at Barcelona Hospital and continued them at the Camp Nou stadium with no signs of health issues, the club said.
Henry was limited to 17 league games last season because of stomach and groin injuries after playing over 30 games a season since joining Arsenal in 1999.
"If you look at my record of injuries there is only one," Henry said. "Today I passed the medical easy and nothing was bad anyway. Maybe not having played too much the season before can be good for this season."
Thousands of fans waited in the Nou Camp for over an hour to see the club's first major summer signing, in the biggest welcome since Ronaldinho's introduction nearly four years ago.
"I'm always surprised when I see all you guys (the press) here and all the people in the stands waiting to see me," Henry said."What they say is true: Barcelona is more than just a club."
Henry wasn't worried about how manager Frank Rijkaard will fit the striker into a team already crowded with stars.
The club boasts two-time FIFA player of the year Ronaldinho, Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o, Argentina winger Lionel Messi as well as playmaking midfielders Deco, Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez.
"A great club like Barcelona will always have high quality players; what's most important is that Barcelona wins," Henry said.
"Sometimes you have to sit on the bench, sometimes you play - that's how you win titles. You have to adapt."
Henry leaves Arsenal as the club's top scorer, with 226 goals in 364 appearances. He helped the London team to two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the 2006 Champions League final, which it lost to Barcelona.
"Hopefully they appreciate what I did there - I certainly enjoyed my time over there," Henry added, before signing off with a few words in Catalan.
Barcelona was runner-up to champions Real Madrid in the Spanish first division this season.
