England legend and household football names has joined Stoke City on a free transfer after leaving Manchester United.
Michael Owen appeared in 52 games for the Manchester club, scoring 17 football goals in his three seasons with the Red Devils.
The 32 year old’s career, which has seen him play for Newcastle and Real Madrid recently, in Manchester was winding down towards the end of last season though, only making four appearances in United’s football kit. He has said he doesn’t want to leave the Premier League because he still has what it takes to compete in the league.
The move to Stoke still has to be sanctioned by the Premier League to ensure it was made before the 5pm Tuesday deadline. The move is thought to be valued at around £25,000 per week and includes a substantial bonus depending on goals scored and a number of other clauses dependent on whether Stoke stay in the Premier League.
The deal is for 12 months initially with another year on top if Owen performs as well in the Stoke football kit as well as he did the United one when he wore it.
Even so, it is unlikely Owen will spend as much time on the bench at Stoke than he did at United, and his experience both amongst football training equipment and on the pitch will be invaluable to a Stoke team that is yet to register a win in the Premier League this season.
Their three draws in the first three games see them lie twelfth in the table with three points, and Owen will be part of the new influx of transfers ast Stoke, including Michael Kightly from Wolves who has already opened his football goals account by scoring against Reading in Stoke’s opening game, and Scottish international midfielder Charlie Adam who recently signed from Liverpool for £4m