Michael Owen has completed a free transfer to
Manchester United. The
Barclays Premier League champions confirmed the 29-year-old had
signed a two-year deal after completing a medical at a south
Manchester hospital this afternoon.
The injury-prone England international, whose contract with
Newcastle United expired earlier this week, is understood to have
agreed a pay-as-you-play deal at Old Trafford.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: 'Michael is a world class
forward with a proven goalscoring record at the highest level and
that has never been in question.
'Coming to Manchester United with the expectations that we have
is something that Michael will relish.'
Michael Owen, who until United's enquiry had been linked to
Hull City,
Stoke City,
Aston Villa and
Everton, said: "I had just begun to talk to other
clubs when out of the blue Sir Alex phoned me on Wednesday
afternoon, invited me to have breakfast with him next morning
during which he told me that he wanted to sign me.
Red hot: Michael Owen scores against Chelsea for
Liverpool six years ago
'I agreed without a moment's thought. This is a
fantastic opportunity for me and I intend to seize it with both
hands. 'I am now looking forward to being a Manchester United
player and I am fortunate that I already know so many of the
players here.
'I missed pre-season last year and am pleased that I will be
starting at Carrington from day one. 'I want to thank Sir
Alex for the faith he has shown in me and I give him my assurance
that I will repay him with my goals and
performances."
He added to MUTV: 'It feels great. When I got the call from the
manager to come round and meet him it was a shock, but I'm
obviously really happy. 'I've had a poor spell up at Newcastle but
prior to that my career was very good, and I'm sure a top club like
this can re-ignite my career.'
Owen added that his fitness problems of recent seasons should
not be a concern for United's fans. 'I'd like to think that
everyone was quite surprised with my medical," he said.
'I passed my medical and I've obviously passed them before, and
my fitness is high. A lot is made out of it but I certainly don't
feel like I'm injury prone.'
It is believed Owen could be offered as little as £20,000 a week
as a basic salary but with massive performance-related bonuses
which could take him close to the £110,000 a week he was on at
Newcastle United.
Details emerged after talks and preliminary fitness checks
yesterday. The former Liverpool player was pictured driving
to United's Carrington training ground this morning before later
completing his medical in hospital.
Happy days: Michael Owen leaves a south Manchester
hospital following medical checks ahead of his move to
United
Emerging with a smile reminiscent of a child entering a
chocolate factory, it was clear then that he would soon be United's
second major signing of the summer, helping to provide firepower
following the departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos
Tevez.
The prospect of signing a former Anfield favourite was not
greeted with unanimous enthusiasm from Stretford Enders,
particularly when the player in question is perceived by many to be
washed up - including, it seems, the England manager Fabio
Capello.
But Ferguson believes the former Real Madrid poacher is a gamble
worth taking if he can stay injury-free and return to the kind of
goalscoring form that made him European Footballer of the Year in
2001.
