Former Manchester United forward Eric Cantona has been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
Cantona played a vital role in United’s early Premier League success under Sir Alex Ferguson, and won four Premier League titles in five seasons before retiring in 1997.
During his spell at Old Trafford, the Frenchman notched up 70 goals in 156 Premier League appearances for United.
“I am very happy and very proud and at the same time, I am not surprised!” said 54-year-old Cantona, who described himself as the “exception” among the shortlist of nominees.
“Of course, to play in England was a dream. It is a dream of everybody to play in the Premier League.
“I have been lucky to play in this [Manchester United] team with wonderful players, a wonderful manager and wonderful fans.
“It was the football I dreamt about because Manchester United is a club where they want to win things but in a good way. It was like this in the time of Matt Busby. This is the identity of this club, the philosophy of this club.”
The Frenchman was among a poll of 23 players after Thierry Henry and Alan Shearer became the first two inductees to the Hall of Fame last month.
The Premier League Hall of Fame recognises players who have shown outstanding record of on-pitch success and have made important contributions in the division since its creation in 1992.
The remaining 22-man shortlisted for the next Hall of Fame inductee includes: Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.
