HALL OF FAME : PREMIER LEAGUE

 

FRANCE : Cantona joins Premier League's Hall of Fame. The Frenchman won four league titles in five seasons at United, scoring 70 goals in 156 games.

LONDON : Former Manchester United forward Eric Cantona became the third player to be inducted into the Premier League's Hall of Fame after former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer for former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry, the league said on Tuesday.

Cantona won four league titles in five seasons at United, scoring 70 goals in 156 league appearances for the Old Trafford club.

The Frenchman, who also won the 1991-92 First Division title with Leeds United, retired in May 1997 aged 30.

''I am very happy and very proud, but at the same time I am not surprised,'' Cantona told the Premier League website.

''I would have been surprised not to be elected!

''I have been lucky to play in this team, with wonderful players, a wonderful manager and wonderful fans.'' 

Cantona, 54, is also remembered for the infamous ''kungfu'' kick he launched at Crystal Palace fan in January 1995 after being sent off at Selhurst Park.

Cantona is the first of six players to be included in the class of the 2021 after a vote from the public and Premier League panel, with Shearer and Henry having been the only two automatic inductees.

Five more top-flight stars will be named in the Hall of Fame, by the end of the week, with the likes of Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Dennis Bergkamp and Steven Gerrard among the remaining 22 nominees.

The Premier League's all time top scorer Shearer and former France international Henry were inducted into the Hall of Fame last month.

The league said the Hall of Fame ''celebrates the talent and achievements'' of those who have featured in the division since its inception in 1992 and that players must have been retired as of August 1, 2020 to be eligible. [Reuters]