Michael Owen: I want to finish my career ‘on a high’ at Stoke City

Stoke City striker Michael Owen says he wants to finish his career "on a high" at the club after moving to the Britannia last week

Comments

By TSR staff Thursday 13 September 2012, 11:42 UK

Michael Owen has scored 40 goals in 89 appearances for EnglandPhoto: Phil Greig / Stoke City FC

michael owen

Michael Owen is hoping to finish his career “on a high” at Stoke City after the England international completed a move to the Potters last week.

The 32-year-old penned a one-year deal with Stoke after being released by 19-time English champions Manchester United back in May.

Owen had struggled for playing time at the Red Devils in recent seasons, but the former Liverpool forward is confident he can return to goal-scoring form at the Britannia Stadium.

“My past experiences of coming to the Britannia were a real eye-opener – the crowd are really passionate and I don’t care who you are, you always like to play in front of a passionate crowd that love their football,” said Owen.

“So there were loads of things that ticked the boxes and I’m sure I’ve made the right decision.

“It’s a move that I’m excited about and I hope I can stay fit for the majority of my time here.

“I want to perform and I want to finish my career on a real high. I’m still only 32 and I still feel as if I have a lot left in me.

“I’ve always scored goals no matter what team I have been in, so as long as I can stay fit and healthy, then I’m sure I can do that here at Stoke.”

Owen revealed Stoke had been pursuing his signature from as far back as 2009, when he left Newcastle United to join the Red Devils – and also said there were other top-flight clubs keen to complete a deal for him this summer.

“The manager [Pulis] had been interested in me for a while and prior to me going to Manchester United [in 2009] he had made contact and tried to bring me here,” Owen added. “Obviously at the time I went to United.

“There were a couple of Premier League teams that showed interest (this time), but this is a team on the up, I know the manager and a few of the players and it meant I didn’t have to move my family as well.”