The Premier League has decided that Thierry Henry & Alan Shearer will become the first players to be inducted into its inaugural Hall of Fame class.

The two strikers, have been given the award which is being described as the highest individual honour awarded to players by the League.

Former Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United striker Shearer said:

“When you look at some of the unbelievable players to have graced the Premier League – week in, week out, year in, year out – I feel very honoured to join the Hall of Fame. I have to thank all of my team-mates, as well as the managers and coaches that I’ve worked with,”

Shearer still holds the record as the Premier League’s highest scorer with 260 goals in 441 appearances across 14 seasons.

He remains the only player to reach 100 Premier League goals for two different clubs and won the title with Blackburn under Kenny Dalglish in the 1994/95 campaign.

“All I ever wanted to be was a professional footballer. It was my dream to do that, my dream to win trophies and my dream to score at St James’ Park, to wear the number nine black-and-white shirt and it was fantastic. I enjoyed every minute of it.”

Henry was similarly enthusiastic about the honour saying:

“To be inducted alongside Alan Shearer as the two first inductees into the Premier League Hall of Fame is more than special,”

The Frenchman who arrived from Juventus in 1999, went on to become Arsenals all time top scorer and a key member of the 2003/04 title-winning ‘Invincible’ team.

“When I was young, I was just trying to make sure I could get a pair of boots and now we’re talking about the Hall of Fame. During my career I wanted to play hard and make sure I was fighting for the cause, because that’s all the fans want to see”, he added.

Titi also went on to win the Golden Boot award a record four times, whilst also being the only player to record a 20 goal 20 assist season in the leagues history.

“If you asked me at the start of my career about entering the Hall of Fame, I wouldn’t have believed you. It’s an amazing honour.”