Brighton's Balogun Picks Arsenal Hero Henry As His All-Time Favorite Player

Brighton & Hove star Leon Balogun has revealed a closely guarded secret by stating that he started out his career as a striker before he was converted into a defender.

The Nigeria international, who scored a brilliant goal against Crystal Palace in December, has highlighted that Arsenal hero Thierry Henry is his all-time favorite player.

Speaking to Brighton's official webpage, Balogun said : ''Thierry Henry is my all-time favourite player. I started as a striker and I’ve always admired offensive players more, because it’s just beautiful to watch them.

''If you’re a defender, of course you have your role-model defensive players, but Thierry Henry was the first player that I can remember who played with style.''

As well as praising Henry's abilities, Balogun acknowledged that the former Arsenal captain was elegant on the pitch.

''He showed class on the pitch, but almost arrogance. The way he was moving so elegantly over the field, strong and fast, he just had style in the way he was scoring goals.

''That was something that caught my eye. I loved the way he put the ball into the back of the net — and his celebrations were great as well. For me, he was just pure class,'' added the Seagulls number 14.

Henry is Arsenal's all-time record scorer with 226 goals in all competitions and helped the London club win two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and two Community Shields.

Igho Kingsley

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