Alan Shearer named as one of first two inductees into the 
Premier League Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame recognises and celebrates the exceptional skill and talent of individuals who have graced the Premier League since its inception in 1992. It is the highest individual honour awarded to players by the league. 

Shearer has been inducted as the league's record goal scorer, having netted 260 goals across 14 Premier League seasons. He joined his hometown club for a world-record transfer in 1996, and scored 148 top-flight goals in 303 Premier League matches across a ten-season spell for the Magpies.

He is a three-time golden boot winner and remains the only player to have reached 100 Premier League goals for two different clubs, having become the first player to reach a century of Premier League goals after scoring 112 times in just 138 matches for Blackburn Rovers, as well as winning the Premier League title with them in the 1994/95 season. 

Speaking of his induction into the Premier League Hall of Fame, 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.

"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 won the Premier League's Golden Boot award a record four times and scored a club record 175 Premier League goals in 258 appearances for Arsenal. He netted more than 20 Premier League goals in five consecutive seasons between 2001 and 2006. 

He said: "To be inducted alongside Alan Shearer as the two first inductees into the Premier League Hall of Fame is more than special."

Shearer and Henry will feature in a special television programme, which will be broadcast at 6pm (BST) on Monday evening on Sky Sports Premier League, Premier League digital channels and around the world via the Premier League's international broadcast partners. Kelly Cates will interview the two icons as they look back on their Premier League careers, with some special guests also making an appearance.  

A shortlist of 23 additional nominees eligible to join the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2021 will be announced during the show, with fans invited to cast their vote from 7pm and help select the remaining six inductees to the 2021 Premier League Hall of Fame. Voting will take place at www.premierleague.com/halloffame and on the official Premier League app until Sunday, 9th May.

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: "Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry are two world-class players who lit up the Premier League throughout their time in the competition. Both players were capable of scoring every kind of goal, including some of the best we have ever seen. 

"Shearer’s record 260 Premier League goals puts him at the top of a long list of exceptional goal scorers. The fact that record remains unchallenged today, 15 years since his retirement, goes to show what an achievement it was.

"Henry broke individual and team records during eight seasons with Arsenal when he became a footballing icon. He was a talisman in the 'Invincibles' team and his four Premier League Golden Boots during a five-year period reflect the impact he had."

Photograph courtesy of Premier League/Alex Wallace