Premier League approves Owen Stoke move
Michael Owen's move to Stoke has been given the green light by the Premier League
Michael Owen has been cleared to play for new club Stoke following a decision from the Premier League to approve his inclusion in the Potters' 25-man squad.
The England international was a free agent following his release from Manchester United at the end of last season and has agreed a one-year pay-as-you-play deal at the Britannia Stadium.
Owen, 32, was unveiled as Stoke manager Tony Pulis' seventh summer signing but both the player and the club were made to sweat on a decision from the Premier League to confirm his eligibility.
The deal was announced by the club on Tuesday but remained subject to confirmation that the Potters submitted the relevant paperwork prior to the 4pm deadline for the player to be signed on a free agent basis.
The uncertainty meant the Premier League was only able to release the official 25-man squads for 19 of the 20 clubs.
But now a decision has been made and Owen will be available for selection ahead of Stoke's next Barclays Premier League fixture, which sees champions Manchester City visit the Britannia Stadium.
Forward Owen, who has also played for Real Madrid and Newcastle, was linked with a return to former side Liverpool as a solution to their goalscoring worries.
But it is Pulis who has signed Owen on a performance-related contract following the arrivals of Jamie Ness, Geoff Cameron, Michael Kightly, Maurice Edu, Charlie Adam and Steven N'Zonzi at the club over the course of a busy summer.
A Premier League statement read: "The Premier League board has confirmed to Stoke City the registration of Michael Owen. Consequently he can be included in their 25-man playing squad."
Owen confirmed the news himself on Twitter moments before the club posted the decision on their official website. His Tweet read: "It's official! Deal done. I'm a Stoke player. Can't wait to get going."
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Well not true selling his soul etc. yes is undoubtedly money oriented. But has £40 odd million in the bank, and More wants more.
However he could have walked into many Championship clubs, and some Premier over the last two seasons on a set wage! This would have been far more lucrative than any Paid if Play,
And fienging, or being injured means he gets nowt.
Think Owen can still do a job. Stoke have made some interesting signings. Top half finish for them, I think. They buy decent players at a decent price. Not rocket science, but a lot of bigger clubs seems to be incapable of that. With some of the players they have brought in, Stoke might even start to play proper football now.
what a bunch of muppetts on here! not one of u wouldnt of wanted him in your team in his prime! hes on a pay as u play deal so he doesnt get paid for being on the treatment table! he was a bit part player for utd and still managed to do the business ask city fans:)
david jones wanna talk about greed??? why would anybody want to join city??? clearly wasnt for the history or trophies now was it!
and what if he has got 40mill in the bank other players have and play on! so your prob with that is??
hope he makes it up the top gs league table just hope he doesnt do the bus against us but against city in his first game would be a nice little leaving present for us!:)
