PLAYER PROFILE

Michael Owen

Position: Forward

Height: 5'8

Weight: 10st 9lbs

Date of Birth: 1979-12-14 Chester, England

Michael Owen

Michael Owen famously burst on to the world stage with one of the goals of the tournament during France '98. Now, with a few more seasons and a multitude of hamstring problems under his belt, Owen is regarded as one of the most fearsome strikers in Europe.

After graduating from the famous Anfield Youth Academy, Owen was soon pushing his claim for a place in the first team alongside Kop icon Robbie Fowler and German international Karl Heinz Riedle in 1997/98. 21-goals that season silenced the critics who said he was too young to become a first team regular.

In the following season he increased that tally to 23 and forced his way into Glenn Hoddle's plans for the World Cup - his first major international tournament. Although the competition ended in disappointment for England, Owen was embedded on the national consciousness and became a regular fixture in the England team. And sure enough, he was back in 2000 for the European Championships.

Since scoring on his Liverpool debut against Wimbledon, Owen has gone from strength to strength to establish himself as the number one striker at Anfield. His breathtaking pace, quickness of turn and ability to find the net from every conceivable angle marks him out from the rest of the Premiership and, indeed, most of Europe.

The 2002/03 season threw up a few problems for the England striker, when critics believed he was suffering a burn out as he struggled in front of goal following the 2002 World Cup. However, he only went a few games without scoring and soon resumed normal service. He scored 30 goals in all competitions and equalled Ian Rush's European goalscoring record, notching up 20 strikes.

The following season also saw Owen struggling with his form and the striker found himself under fire from the critics on many occasions - for his performances for England at Euro 2004, for missing consecutive penalties against Chelsea and then Southampton, for this and for that.

But the fact remains that Owen was, and has been since he found his way into the first team, the club's top goalscorer. He bagged 19 goals for the Reds during the 2003/04 season, and 4 for England.

Admittedly people were worried when he didn't come up with the goods at Euro 2004 as he usually does for England, however, he turned provider as his Merseyside rival Wayne Rooney eclipsed him in the goalscoring charts. He has now scored more goals for England than any other Liverpool player.

However, his time at Anfield came to an abrupt end in August, just days before the start of the 2004/05 season. With his contract talks still stalling, Real Madrid came in and signed him for £8m, plus Antonio Carlos Nunez. However, it never really worked out for Owen in Madrid as he was continuously overlooked in their star-studded squad.

The summer of 2005 was packed with rumours about the future of Owen. At verious times, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Everton, Wigan Athletic and Newcastle United were all linked to the out-of-favour player.

However, it was not until late on in the transfer window that the former Liverpool Golden Boy finally made up his made. With him knowing that he was not likely to get the first-team football he desperatly needed in this World Cup season at Madrid, he admitted his desire to move back to England.

This admission begun a flurry of actviity with teams racing to sign him. Everton and Wigan were both reported to have lodged bids with Madrid, which were rejected.

Finally, the race to sign Owen came down to two teams: Newcaslte and Liverpool, with the Magpies lodging a massive £16million bid and the Anfield side seemingly disinterested in the player, despite his admission that he would favour a return to his old team.

The day before, with media coverage at fever pitch, Owen finally moved to St. James Park for the fee of £16million, bringing to end a summer of talk.

However, the future of Owen at Newcastle United remains unclear. Rumours are abound that in order to secure the player's signing, the Magpies had to write numberous clauses into his contract, which would allow him to leave next summer if he wishes.

But chairman Freddie Shepherd said: "I have heard a little rumour that Michael has a clause in his contract which states he can leave Newcastle United in one year's time.

"I can tell you now that he hasn't. Of course Michael has clauses in his contract.

"In this day and age, all top players do - Alan Shearer does. But that is not one of them."

Meanwhile, Owen is looking forward to playing in the Premiership again and said at a press conference: "I've had a head-spinning couple of days. I've had three great clubs in the frame but as it got nearer to the transfer deadline it became clear that Newcastle would be my destination.

"I came up here and met the Newcastle contingent and thought the best bet for my future would be to join Newcastle.

"After Real bought two new strikers it didn't look as though I would be in the starting eleven there. If Real had said I'd be playing every week I'd have stayed there.

"For various reasons I've chosen Newcastle rather than Liverpool. I spoke to Liverpool but unfortunately that deal didn't come off and that's life.

"Alan Shearer's been a good friend of mine for some time. It'll be an honour to play alongside him in his final season. We share lots of interests and he was one of the main reasons why I decided to sign for Newcastle United.

"Like Alan had to decide a few years ago whether to sign for Newcastle I've had a similar one to make - but it's not bad having to choose between Liverpool, Newcastle and Real Madrid.

"I've missed the Premiership while I've been away but there was no real decision to make when it was either staying at Real or coming here. It's an exciting club to join - they haven't won anything for a long time but if we do win something while I'm here it'll be like winning the World Cup for the Newcastle fans.

"I'd never have taken the number nine shirt off Alan Shearer but it was a magnificent gesture by him."

United boss Graeme Souness added: "There's only a handful of players in the world today who can fill Shearer's shirt - and now with Michael Owen we've got one of those players.

"We've got him and I'm absolutely delighted. He's a respected guy who will make the dressing room even better."

Owen started just 20 Primera Liga matches for Madrid last season following his £8million move from Liverpool, but finished the campaign as the club's second highest scorer after finding the target 13 times.

His first season as a Newcastle United player proved to be a mixed one. Although he scored seven goals in just eleven games, including a hat-trick against West Ham, he spent the latter half of the year on the sidelines after breaking his metatarsal during the Christmas period.

He was rushed back to fitness for the end of the season so he could compete in the World Cup. However, he looked off the pace during the first two games of the finals and in the first minute of the third group game against Sweden suffered another injury which kept him out for the best part of the 2006/07 season.

He will be hoping to remain injury-free in 07/08.