Michael Owen has announced that he will retire at the end of the season. The announcement by the 33-year-old Stoke City forward was made in a statement on his website.
"Having progressed through the ranks at Liverpool to make my first team debut at 17, before embarking upon spells at Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City, not to mention representing my country on 89 occasions, I now feel it is the right time to bring the curtain down on my career," it said.
"I have been very fortunate in that my career has taken me on a journey that like many young players starting out, I could only have dreamt of. None of this would have been possible without the tremendous support I have received from managers, coaches, fellow players, back room staff, the supporters and my own personal sponsors. I would like to thank each and every one for the huge role they have played in helping me reach the top of my profession."
"I have been very fortunate in that my career has taken me on a journey that like many young players starting out, I could only have dreamt of"
Michael Owen
After scoring on his Barclays Premier League debut having come on as a substitute for Liverpool against Wimbledon in 1997, Owen went on to appear 323 in the competition, scoring 150 times.
After 118 goals for Liverpool he left Anfield in 2004 for Real Madrid, but a year later he returned to the Barclays Premier League with Newcastle United. Injuries started to affect him and during his four years on Tyneside he played only 70 league matches. He left to join Manchester United in 2009 and while his playing time for the first team became more sporadic, he scored the winning goal six minutes into injury-time against Manchester City in the derby in September 2009, which was voted the best match of the Premier League’s 20 Seasons Awards.
After a move to Stoke City this season, Owen has only appeared in the Barclays Premier League as a substitute, but has registered one goal, a late consolation in the 3-1 defeat by Swansea in January.
Michael Owen’s Premier League career
Liverpool (1997-2004) - 216 appearances, 118 goals
Newcastle United (2005-2009) – 70 appearances, 26 goals
Manchester United (2009-2012) – 31 appearances, 5 goals
Stoke City (2012- ) – 6 appearances, 1 goal
For a full profile of Michael Owen's career, click here
