Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry first inductees into Premier League Hall of Fame

Former Newcastle striker and Arsenal forward Henry score more than 400 Premier League goals between them

Alan Shearer celebrates after scoring for Newcastle United against Liverpool in the 1996/97 Premier League season. Shutterstock

Alan Shearer celebrates with the then Blackburn Rovers owner Jack Walker after winning the 1994/95 Premier League. AFP

Newcastle's Alan Shearer celebrates with Les Ferdinand after scoring the fourth goal in their 5-0 win over Manchester United in 1996. Getty

Alan Shearer celebrates scoring for Blackburn Rovers against Swindon Town in 1993. Shutterstock

Newcastle striker Alan Shearer celebrates scoring against Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League in 2002. AFP

Newcastle captain Alan Shearer scores a penalty against Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League in 2002. AFP

Newcastle's Alan Shearer celebrates scoring against Bolton Wanderers in 2001. Getty

Alan Shearer scores for Newcastle against Blackburn Rovers in 2005. Getty Images

Blackburn's Alan Shearer scores on the rebound after Southampton goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar saved his penalty in 1994. Reuters

Alan Shearer scores forBlackburn agakinst Newcastle in 1995. Reuters

Alan Shearer is Newcastle's all-time leading scorer with 206 goals. PA

Alan Shearer scores for Newcastle against Olympiakos in the Uefa Cup in 2005. AFP

Alan Shearer after scoring for Blackburn in 1995. Alamy

Alan Shearer celebrates a Newcastle goal with Michael Owen in 2005.

Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer and ex-Arsenal forward Thierry Henry have become the first two players inducted into the Premier League's Hall of Fame.

Shearer is the Premier League's all-time top scorer, having netted 260 goals across 14 Premier League seasons with Newcastle and Blackburn Rovers.

The former England international, who won the Premier League title in the 1994/95 season with Blackburn, is the only player to have scored 100 goals in the competition for two clubs.

"When you look at some of the unbelievable players to have graced the Premier League ... I feel very honoured to join the Hall of Fame," Shearer said.

"All I ever wanted to be was a professional footballer. It was my dream to do that, to win trophies and score at St James’ Park, to wear the number nine. I enjoyed every minute of it."

Former France international Henry scored a club-record 175 Premier League goals in 258 matches for Arsenal.

He won the league title twice and was a key member of the "Invincibles" team who went unbeaten during the 2003/04 campaign. He also provided a joint-record 20 assists in 2002/03.

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

"When I was young, I was just trying to make sure I could get a pair of boots and now we're talking about the Hall of Fame."

A shortlist of 23 additional nominees will be announced later on Monday, with fans invited to vote to help select the remaining six inductees to the 2021 Premier League Hall of Fame.

Players must have been retired as of August 1, 2020 to be eligible for induction, the league said.