Michael Owen: Ex-England Star To Retire

Former England striker Michael Owen is retiring from professional football at the end of the season at the age of 33.

Owen scored 40 times in 89 England appearances, including a memorable solo goal from the halfway line in a World Cup knockout match against Argentina in 1998.

The tally placed him fourth on the country's all-time scorers list behind Bobby Charlton, Gary Lineker and Jimmy Greaves.

Writing on his personal website, Owen said: "I now feel it is the right time to bring the curtain down on my career.

"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."

Shortly after his announcement he tweeted: "I'm overwhelmed. So many nice messages. Having known it for a while I thought I would be ok. Reduced to tears watching."

Owen made his first team debut at Liverpool at the age of 17 and later played at Real Madrid, Newcastle United and Manchester United.

At the start of this season he joined Stoke City and has scored one goal in seven appearances.

Owen said none of his achievements "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."

He went on to thank his family, including his father, Terry Owen, who was also a professional footballer, saying: "From those freezing local parks to terrorising the best defenders in the world on the biggest stages of all. I couldn't have done it without you."

In 2001, Owen won the prestigious Ballon d'Or award for European footballer of the year.

He scored 179 goals in 306 appearances for Liverpool, his formative club, but his career lost momentum after he joined Real Madrid in 2004.

Unable to make an impression in Spain, he returned to England with Newcastle the following year, but he became plagued by injuries that ultimately curtailed his England career.

A three-year spell at Manchester United yielded his first Premier League winner's medal, in 2011, but he was only ever used as a back-up player and left the club when his contract expired last year.

Owen, who married Louise Bonsall in 2005, has four children.

Career appearances and goals:

:: Liverpool (1996-2004): 297 games, 158 goals

:: Real Madrid (2004-05): 40 games, 14 goals

:: Newcastle (2005-09): 79 games, 30 goals

:: Man Utd (2009-12): 52 games, 17 goals

:: Stoke (2012-13) 7 games, one goal

:: England (1998-2008): 89 caps, 40 goals