United seal surprise Owen switch

England striker Michael Owen has completed his surprise transfer to Manchester United FC, signing a two-year deal with the Premier League champions.

'World class'
The 29-year-old moves to Old Trafford as a free agent after his contract with Newcastle United FC expired at the end of June. Owen passed a full medical on Friday and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, a long-time admirer of the player, said: "Michael is a world-class forward with a proven goalscoring record at the highest level and that has never been in question." Owen, who said that Sir Alex had phoned him "out of the blue", added: "I agreed without a moment's thought. This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I intend to seize it with both hands."

Prolific record
Owen started his career at United's arch-rivals Liverpool FC, scoring 118 league goals in 216 appearances. The 2001 European Footballer of the Year joined Real Madrid CF following eight seasons at Anfield. After registering 13 times in 36 Liga games for the Spanish side, he moved back to England with Newcastle in 2005, but has endured four injury-plagued campaigns at St James' Park. Owen burst on to the international scene aged 18 at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France and has gone on to net 40 goals in 89 matches for England, last representing his country in March 2008. Beaten by FC Barcelona in last season's UEFA Champions League final, United will once again enter the competition in the group stage this term.