Michael Owen joins Manchester United on two-year deal

Michael Owen has sealed his shock move to Manchester United.

The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and England striker completed a series of stringent medical tests this evening and has signed a two-year deal with the Barclays Premier League champions.

Owen, 29, had earlier spent the day at United's Carrington training complex as the terms of his free transfer were thrashed out, after he lapsed out of contract with Newcastle at the end of last month.

"Michael is a world class forward with a proven goalscoring record at the highest level and that has never been in question," said manager Alex Ferguson.

"Coming to Manchester United with the expectations that we have is something that Michael will relish," he added on www.manutd.com.

Owen said: "I had just begun to talk to other clubs when out of the blue Sir Alex phoned me on Wednesday afternoon, invited me to have breakfast with him next morning during which he told me that he wanted to sign me," he said.

"I agreed without a moment's thought. This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I intend to seize it with both hands.

"I am now looking forward to being a Manchester United player and I am fortunate that I already know so many of the players here.

"I missed pre-season last year and am pleased that I will be starting at Carrington from day one.

"I want to thank Sir Alex for the faith he has shown in me and I give him my assurance that I will repay him with my goals and performances."

Owen, whose contract with the Magpies expired at the end of June, had undergone a medical examination yesterday to assess the troublesome knee which had sidelined him for much of his stay at St James' Park.

Despite his previous injury problems the deal represents little risk to Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who has been a long-time admirer of the 29-year-old.

As Owen is out of contract there is no fee to pay and it believed Ferguson has struck a pay-as-you-play deal which will involve a basic weekly wage enhanced by bonuses.

The player has taken a significant pay cut from the £110,000 he was reported to be on at Newcastle, for whom he scored 10 goals as they were relegated to the Coca-Cola Championship last season.

But it is the lure of playing for a top-four club, with the promise of Champions League football again, which excites Owen now as he tries to force his way back into the reckoning with England coach Fabio Capello.

That is particularly important for a player who has scored 40 goals in 89 appearances with a World Cup - likely to be Owen's last chance - looming next summer.

He will no doubt be helped by regularly playing alongside Capello's first-choice forward Wayne Rooney at United.

Owen's switch to Old Trafford came as a major surprise as it was thought the former Real Madrid striker's chances of joining a top-four club - let alone the defending Barclays Premier League champions - was a non-starter.

The likes of Hull and Stoke made their interest very public - although Owen was never likely to go to either - and it was thought Everton, the team he supported as a boy, were the favourites.

The fact Ferguson has made his move for Owen shows the faith he has in the player's ability, despite an injury-ravaged last few years.

If he remains fit he should still be able to score goals considering the amount of creativity United have on the field - one factor he desperately lacked during his disappointing spell at Newcastle.

Owen may not replace the goals of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has gone to Madrid, or the work-rate of Carlos Tevez, who appears on the verge of a move to Manchester City after his lease agreement ran out at Old Trafford, but he has the knack of scoring at important times.

It is that pedigree which Ferguson hopes will shine through next season.