Henry passes medical, given number 14 shirt

MADRID, June 25 (Reuters) France striker Thierry Henry passed a medical at Barcelona today paving the way for him to complete his move from Arsenal.

''He has passed all the tests satisfactorily,'' Barcelona team doctor Ricard Pruna was quoted as saying on the club's Web site (www.fcbarcelona.com).

''There are no problems, everything is in order. Henry has no injury or after-effect that prevents him from joining the club.'' The 29-year-old will sign a four-year contract with the Primera Liga team later in the day and is to be presented to fans and the media at the Nou Camp at 2130 IST.

Henry will be given the 14 shirt at his presentation, the squad number he had at Arsenal and the same as that worn by Barcelona great Johan Cruyff.

Sources at the club have said Barca will pay 24 million euros (32.29 million dollars ) for the striker who had been at Premier League club Arsenal since 1999.

Henry suffered foot, back, stomach and groin injuries in England last season, and a sciatic nerve proved to be a long-standing problem that forced Arsenal to rule their captain out of the campaign from March.

''We paid particular attention to the groin area because we are aware of the problems he has had there,'' said Pruna. ''We believe it is due to an imbalance in the muscle groups in the area.'' ''He will undergo a special programme in Paris to redress the imbalance in the area so that he can join up with the rest of the team on July 21.

''In theory, given what we have seen today, and if he completes the programme properly and continues it when he comes to club, there should be no problems.'' REUTERS SAM RN2134