New York Red Bulls sign French striker Thierry Henry

Red Bulls announced Wednesday that they had signed French international forward Thierry Henry to a multi-year contract as their second designated player.

Henry, who recently competed for France at the World Cup in South Africa, will team with Red Bulls captain Juan Pablo Angel, whose nine goals is good for second in the league to L.A. Galaxy forward Edson Buddle. Angel is the team's first designated player.

The second-place Red Bulls (8-5-2, 26 points), who trail the Columbus Crew (8-2-4, 28) in the Eastern Conference, are still searching for a creative playmaking midfielder who can get the ball to the forwards.

Henry, who turns 33 on Aug. 17, is a member of the 1998 World Cup championship team, European Championship and UEFA Champions League winner. He awaiting his International Transfer Certificate when the summer international transfer window opens Thursday.

He will be introduced at a press conference at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. at 1:15 p.m. Thursday.

Henry is expected to debut for the Red Bulls against Tottenham (England) at the Barclays New York Challenge at Red Bull Arena July 22.

Like it or not, Henry most recently is best known for a handball that he was not called for during a World Cup qualifying playoff match against Ireland. The play led to France's lone goal in a 1-1 tie, clinching a spot in the World Cup. The French team played horribly in South Africa, incurring many internal problems, which included a players strike over practicing one day. The French finished at 0-2-1, scoring but once.

Henry was relegated to the bench, playing only 53 minutes over two matches as a substitute.

Still, the Red Bulls have welcomed Henry with open arms.