Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer and ex-Arsenal forward Thierry Henry have become the first two players inducted into the Premier League's Hall of Fame.
Shearer is the Premier League's all-time top scorer, having netted 260 goals across 14 Premier League seasons with Newcastle and Blackburn Rovers.
The former England international, who won the Premier League title in the 1994/95 season with Blackburn, is the only player to have scored 100 goals in the competition for two clubs.
"When you look at some of the unbelievable players to have graced the Premier League ... I feel very honoured to join the Hall of Fame," Shearer said.
"All I ever wanted to be was a professional footballer. It was my dream to do that, to win trophies and score at St James’ Park, to wear the number nine. I enjoyed every minute of it."
Former France international Henry scored a club-record 175 Premier League goals in 258 matches for Arsenal.
He won the league title twice and was a key member of the "Invincibles" team who went unbeaten during the 2003/04 campaign. He also provided a joint-record 20 assists in 2002/03.
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Arsenal's Thierry Henry celebrates scoring against Leeds United in the FA Cup in 2014. AFP -
Arsenal's Thierry Henry scores against Crystal Palace in 2004. AFP -
Thierry Henry is Arsenal's all-time leading scorer with 228 goals. PA -
Thierry Henry scores for Arsenal against Wolves in 2003. AFP -
Thierry Henry celebrates scoring against West Ham in 2002. Shutterstock -
Thierry Henry scores for Arsenal against Middlesbrough in 2003. AFP -
Arsenal's Thierry Henry celebrates scoring against Liverpool in 2004. AFP -
Thierry Henry scores for Arsenal against Derby in 2001. AFP -
Thierry Henry scores for Arsenal against Manchester City in 2000. Reuters -
Thierry Henry celebrates scoring against Crystal Palace in 2005. Shutterstock -
Arsenal's Thierry Henry scores against Sunderland in 2012. AFP -
Arsenal's Thierry Henry shoots for goal against Manchester United in the 2004 FA Cup semi-final. AP
"To be inducted alongside Alan Shearer as the two first inductees into the Premier League Hall of Fame is more than special," Henry said.
"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."
A shortlist of 23 additional nominees will be announced later on Monday, with fans invited to vote to help select the remaining six inductees to the 2021 Premier League Hall of Fame.
Players must have been retired as of August 1, 2020 to be eligible for induction, the league said.
