Micheal Owen announces his Retirement: Journey of England's Legend ends.

Former England striker Michael Owen is to retire from football at the end of the season.

Owen, 33, who scored 40 goals in 89 internationals, played for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United and Manchester United and is now at Stoke.

He said: "It is with an immense amount of pride that I am announcing my intention to retire.

"I have been very fortunate in that my career has taken me on a journey I could only have dreamed of."

Owen burst on to the scene as a teenager at Liverpool and made England's 1998 World Cup squad aged just 18. He announced himself on the world stage with a memorable solo goal against Argentina in that tournament and scored a hat-trick as England beat Germany 5-1 in Munich in September 2001.

"Most of all, though, I would like to thank my family. To my beautiful wife Louise, for her continued love and support through the many ups and downs in my career and for affording me the most precious gift of all, our children.

"To my mum who has always taken the brunt of my frustrations yet continues to keep our family so tight-knit, a trait that has formed the foundations of my own success. Her dedication to me and my brothers and sisters is immeasurable.

Chester-born Owen helped Liverpool to a treble of trophies in 2001 as they won the League Cup, FA Cup and Uefa Cup to end a six-year trophy drought. In that FA Cup win, he memorably scored two late goals to help Liverpool come from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1.

In total, Owen scored 158 goals in 297 appearances for the Anfield club before moving to with Real Madird for  where he was part of the "Galacticos", including Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Roberto Carlos and Raul.

Despite 14 goals in 40 games, he returned to the Premier League with Newcastle United for a reported Former England striker Michael Owen is to retire from football at the end of the season.

Owen, 33, who scored 40 goals in 89 internationals, played for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United and Manchester United and is now at Stoke.

He said: "It is with an immense amount of pride that I am announcing my intention to retire.

"I have been very fortunate in that my career has taken me on a journey I could only have dreamed of."

Owen burst on to the scene as a teenager at Liverpool and made England's 1998 World Cup squad aged just 18. He announced himself on the world stage with a memorable solo goal against Argentina in that tournament and scored a hat-trick as England beat Germany 5-1 in Munich in September 2001.

"Most of all, though, I would like to thank my family. To my beautiful wife Louise, for her continued love and support through the many ups and downs in my career and for affording me the most precious gift of all, our children.

"To my mum who has always taken the brunt of my frustrations yet continues to keep our family so tight-knit, a trait that has formed the foundations of my own success. Her dedication to me and my brothers and sisters is immeasurable.

Chester-born Owen helped Liverpool to a treble of trophies in 2001 as they won the League Cup, FA Cup and Uefa Cup to end a six-year trophy drought. In that FA Cup win, he memorably scored two late goals to help Liverpool come from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1.

In total, Owen scored 158 goals in 297 appearances for the Anfield club before moving to Real Madid for 8 Million pounds, where he was part of the "Galacticos", including Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Roberto Carlos and Raul.

Despite 14 goals in 40 games, he returned to the Premier League.

Micheal Owen's Career:

Liverpool (1996-2004): 297 games, 158 goals

Real Madrid (2004-05): 40 games, 14 goals

Newcastle (2005-09): 79 games, 30 goals

Man Utd (2009-12): 52 games, 17 goals

Stoke (2012-13) 7 games, one goal

England (1998-2008): 89 caps, 40 goals