Henry's Barca switch was called off 15 times before a deal was reached

Barca vice-president Ferran Soriano, who conducted the deal with Arsene Wenger and Arsenal director Ken Friar, revealed the transfer for Henry had been the hardest of his career to conclude.

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Soriano confirmed that there will be no cash bonus should Barcelona win the Champions League - one of Henry's main reasons for moving - because the transfer fee had been forced up by Friar's intense negotiations.

Barcelona were so desperate to sign Henry, they have agreed to pay Arsenal virtually all of the £16million transfer fee up front. The only bonus-related payment that will go to Barcelona will be an extra £500,000 should the Spanish club win the league title next season.

Soriano said: "During the process of signing, negotiations broke down 15 times. It was tough because, with total respect to Titi [Henry], he has found it hard to leave Arsenal. But, I must also say that I've never encountered someone who was keener to sign for Barcelona.

"We were disappointed 12 months ago that he chose not to join us but he is one of the football greats and as such I believe he has earned the right both then, and now, to choose his own destiny.

"Clubs come calling at our door every single year for Ronaldinho but as he doesn't want to leave we just accept that it will happen. That's how it was with Titi - we waited until he was ready and then we signed one of the greatest footballers in the world."

Sources at the Nou Camp confirmed that Real Madrid were also desperate to capture the 29-year-old and were willing to pay up to £30m to get the striker and this led to Barcelona having to pay £5m more than they intended to.

Henry's spectacular presentation as a Barcelona player yesterday attracted 10,000 more fans than came to witness the signing of World Cup winner Ronaldinho four years ago.

The former Arsenal captain was visibly stunned by the enormous turn-out at the stadium.

Henry said: "I have always stated that if I left Arsenal there would only be one club I could sign for and that was Barcelona."

Wenger last night paid tribute to his former captain for the first time.

He said: "Thierry has been tremendous. He has excelled as part of a team and individually. He has become an Arsenal legend.

"My relationship with him will always remain. It was Thierry's decision to leave but he goes with my blessing."