Michael Owen signs with Stoke

MANCHESTER, England   ●   Stoke City have announced the signing of free agent Michael Owen on a one-year deal.

Owen, 32, has been without a club since being released by Manchester United at the end of last season.

The striker has since claimed to have received a number of offers from interested sides, with the player admitting he was keen to remain in the Premier League.

Recent reports suggested Owen could return to Liverpool, with the club having been left short of strikers following the loan of Andy Carroll to West Ham.

However, Stoke have confirmed a deal to sign Owen, who scored five goals in 31 league appearances for Manchester United after signing for the club in 2009.

The club posted on their official Twitter account: “Stoke City are delighted to announce the signing of Michael Owen on a one-year deal, subject to Premier League Board approval.”

Owen, who has 89 England caps to his name, started his career at Liverpool before signing for Real Madrid in 2004. He then returned to England to ply his trade at Newcastle, before joining the Red Devils.