Newcastle United's record signing to retire

Michael Owen has announced he will retire at the end of the current campaign Credit: David Davies/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Former Newcastle United striker Michael Owen has announced he plans to retire from professional football at the end of the current season.

The 33-year-old joined Stoke City on a one-year contract in September last year but has made just seven appearances for Tony Pulis' side, scoring only once.

Today, Owen wrote on Twitter:

Owen began his career as a youth player at Liverpool, and scored on his Premier League debut against Wimbledon aged just 17. In total, he scored 118 goals in more than 216 appearances for the Merseyside club before leaving for Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2004.

After just one season in La Liga he joined Newcastle for a club record fee of £16.8 million under then manager Graeme Souness. He signed a four-year deal with the Magpies on 31st August 2005.

The transfer was met with excitement on Tyneside, with more than 20,000 supporters greeting Owen as he was unveiled at St James' Park.

However, the move didn't work out as well as fans had hoped. Injuries mean't Owen was restricted to just 71 Premier League appearances during his time with the Magpies, and after the club were relegated to the Championship in 2009, Owen confirmed that he would not be signing a new deal on Tyneside.

He became a free agent after his contract with Newcastle expired, and he joined Manchester United on a two-year deal. After spending three seasons at Old Trafford, he signed for the Potters in September 2012.