Michael Owen to retire at the end of the season

The former England and Liverpool striker Michael Owen has announced his intention to retire at the end of this season.

The 33-year-old player, capped 89 times for England, has struggled to maintain a regular starting place in club football over the last few seasons, partly due to injury problems.

Owen made his debut for Liverpool at just 17 and burst onto the international stage with a memorable goal that exposed his blistering pace and finishing excellence against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup. He went on to captain England and scored 40 international goals.

He left Liverpool for Real Madrid in 2004 and had spells at Newcastle United and with Manchester United and currently plays for Stoke City.

In a statement released on his website, Owen says: "It is with an immense amount of pride that I am announcing my intention to retire from Professional Football at the end of this season...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," he added.

"None of this 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. Most of all though, I would like to thank my family."