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Michael Owen

Michael father is a former footballer with Everton FC, so naturally Owen grew up as an Everton supporter. His favourite player was Gary Lineker. At the age of 13 he was able to sign school boy team and held talks with Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal, but settled on a move to Liverpool.

Owen offically signed for Liverpool at the age of 16 and joined the youth training scheme where he helped Liverpool in the 1996 FA Youth Cup. Just after his 17th birthday he signed professional terms to play for the senior squad.

Michael debut came against Wimbledon in May 1997, coming on as a substitute and scoring a goal. He was given his break due to injury to Robbie Fowler, the injury meant that Owen was thrust into immediate action during the 1997-1998 but despite his still young age he finished the season as the Premier Leagues joint top goalscorer with 18 goals.

His reward was a place in the England squad for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He sat out the opening game against Tunisia but in the second game against Romania he came on as a substitute for Teddy Sheringham and scored, although England lost 2-1. In the following game against Colombia he was given a starting place alongside Alan Shearer with Sheringham dropped to the bench.

In the second round against Argentina he scored one of the goals of the tournament as he received a pass from David Beckham on the half way line and proceded to run towards goal taking the ball past two Argentine defenders before finishing with a well placed shot into the top corner of the net.

Back into club football and Owen netted 23 times during 40 games for Liverpool in 1998/99. Owen was now established as a firm favourite amongst the Liverpool fans and had replaced Teddy Sheringham has the first choice strike partner for England captain Alan Shearer. He had also won the 1998 BBC Sport Personality of the Year Award.

In 2001, Michael helped Liverpool to their most successful season in recent years as they won the Carling Cup, FA Cup and the UEFA Cup with Owen scoring both the goals in the FA Cup final as Liverpool came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1.

The three victories enabled Liverpool to play the Charity Shield and the European Super Cup, winning them both and Owen scored in both. Liverpool became the first English side to win five trophies in one calendar year. 2001 was also the year in which Owen netted a hat trick for England as they won 5-1 away to Germany making him the first Englishman to score a hat trick against Germany since Geoff Hurst in the 1966 World Cup final.

Following the sacking of Gerard Houllier in 2004, new manager Rafa Benitez sold Michael to Read Madrid for £8million. He endured a difficult year in Spain and often found himself confined to the substitutes bench but he still went on to score 13 goals that season. Then during the summer with the arrivals of Julio Baptista and Robinho it was highly speculated that Michael was set to return to Liverpool.

Real Madrid confirmed on August 24th 2005 that they had accepted a bid of £17million from Newcastle United but that Liverpool and Everton had also made enquiries. Michael held talks with Newcastle and Liverpool and was widely expected to rejoin his former club but on August 30th he announced his intentions to join Newcastle United and the next day he signed a four year contract with 20,000 fans in attandence at St.James' Park to welcome him to Tyneside.

Michael has endured a tough time at Newcastle, injuries have restricted his match time. A metatarsal injury in January 2006 meant that Owen ended his first season with only 10 appearances and 7 goals. On his return he was injured again, damaging cruciate knee ligaments during the 2006 World Cup, meaning he would take no part in the 2006/2007 season.

Owen was signed by Graeme Souness and missed half that season (2005/2006), he was injured throughout the Glenn Roeder era (2006/2007) and missed most of the Sam Allardyce reign (2007). When Kevin Keegan returned as manager in January 2008 he appointed a now fit Owen as club captain.

Info

Full name: Michael James Owen
DOB: 14th December 1979
Place of Birth: Chester, England
Height: 5ft 8in
Position: Striker
Signed from: Real Madrid
Date signed: 30th August 2005
Debut: 10th September 2005 v Fulham

Facts

Michael is Newcastle's record signing having joined the club from Real Madrid for £17million.

On December 17th 2005 Michael scored a perfect hat-trick for Newcastle against West Ham United.

Owen scored the first goal of Kevin Keegans second spell as manager when he netted against Middlesbrough on February 3rd 2008.

Michael is the current Newcastle United captain.