The footballer Thierry Henry has split with his English wife Claire who is also known by her modelling name Nicole Merry after four years of marriage. The couple have a two year old daughter called Téa
There had been claims their marriage was put under strain by Henry’s £16 million transfer to Barcelona last month and that the 27-year-old Claire,who was born in Croydon, Surrey, wanted to stay in London.
Henry, who is French, had been seeing Claire for two years at the time of their wedding. They were married in a lavish ceremony at Highclere Castle, Berkshire, in July 2003.
Henry Family in happy days
A statement through his lawyers said,
Thierry is extremely saddened by the breakdown of his marriage. He is anxious to move on with his life and maintain the best possible relationship he can with Claire for the benefit of their daughter Téa, whom he loves very much.
The statement added that the star’s move to Barcelona was “entirely for footballing reasonsâ€. .
Earlier Henry told pals he quit London club Arsenal for Spanish giants Barcelona to get away from “everything English — including my wifeâ€.
Update : 03-09-2007
Nicole Merry in £25 million quick divorce
Former Arsenal star Thierry Henry could face the biggest ever settlement by a footballer after a quickie divorce from his wife today.According to court papers, Nicole Merry, 27, was granted a decree nisi on the grounds of his “unreasonable behaviour”.
The “quickie” divorce took place before a District Judge at the Principal Registry of the High Court’s Family Division in central London amid speculation that Henry, 30, could face the biggest ever divorce payment by a footballer. Nicole Merry is expected to be entitled to a large part of his fortune, estimated at £25 million.
