20 Mar 2013

Owen to retire from football

6:44 pm on 20 March 2013

The former England striker Michael Owen has announced he'll retire from professional football at the end of the current season.

Owen made his first team debut with Liverpool at 17 and also had spells at Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City.

The 33-year-old scored 40 goals in 89 appearances for England and won the prestigious Ballon d'Or in 2001, but he has barely played since joining Stoke last year.

The latter part of his career has been blighted by injuries.