€70m Plus Deco And Carvalho Swap For Ibrahimovic

Source: goal

Zlatan Ibrahimović (born 3 October 1981 in Rosengård, Malmö) is a Swedish football striker of Bosnian and Croatian descent who plays for Italian Serie A club Internazionale and the Swedish national team. As of February 2009, Ibrahimović, along with Kaká, are the highest salaried football players in the world. Ibrahimović won the Capocannonieri on 31 May 2009 with 25 domestic goals during the season.

€20million Offer For Negredo

Source: goal

Álvaro Negredo Sánchez (born August 20, 1985 in Madrid) is a Spanish footballer currently playing with Real Madrid.

A striker, his nickname is La fiera de Vallecas (The wild animal of Vallecas).

Negredo started his career at Rayo Vallecano, making his professional debuts in early 2005, with the team by then in the third level. He switched during that summer to another Madrid side, as he ended his formation in Real Madrid affiliate Real Madrid Castilla, from 2005–07.

In his last season, Negredo developed as a striker, scoring 18 league goals, although he could not prevent Castilla's drop from the second division. He impressed the first team's coach Fabio Capello, and was called for a few Real matches in the Copa del Rey, but stayed unused on the bench. Finally, he made his debut for the first team in a friendly against Atlético Madrid.

In July 2007, Negredo was sold to La Liga promotees UD Almería, with Real Madrid having an option to rebuy. On February 2, 2008, he scored from the spot in a 2–0 home win against his former team. On April 19, in a 4–1 away success against UEFA Cup and domestic cup holders Sevilla CF, he added two, after having missed a penalty kick.

Negredo finished the season as Almería's topscorer with 13 goals, as the side from Andalusia finished 8th. In 2008-09, he netted five in the side's first six matches, including a 95' minute scored against neighbours Recreativo de Huelva (1–0), on September 28, 2008. In February of the following year, he scored a brace against Valencia CF, which took his league tally to 10, albeit in a 2–3 away loss. He finished the campaign at 19, with the club producing a slightly less successful season.

Real Madrid exercised their buyback option of a reported €5 million on Negredo during the summer of 2009, and he returned to first team training with the club on July 10.

Black Cats New Boy - Fraizer Campbell

Source: skysports

Fraizer Lee Campbell (born 13 September 1987) is an English footballer who plays for Sunderland as a striker. He previously played for Manchester United and played for Tottenham Hotspur on loan in the 2008–09 season as part of the deal that sent Dimitar Berbatov the opposite way.

Man Utd Target Nicolai Boilesen

Source: goal

Nicolai Møller Boilesen (born February 16 1992) is a young Danish footballer currently playing for Brøndby IF. He is a left-footed defender playing mostly as a central defender. He is the captain for the Danish under-17 national team and is together with Christian D. Eriksen one of the most promising Danish football talents born in 1992. On October 5 2008 he made his senior level debut playing for Brøndby IF's reserves team against Glostrup FK in Danish 2nd Division East.

His talent has caught eyes of great European football clubs including Manchester United, Chelsea FC, Rennes FC and AS Monaco and is being compared to Liverpool defender Daniel Agger.

In 2005 and 2006 he was awarded respectively Fighter of the year and Player of the year for Brøndby IF's generation 1992. In 2005 he was a striker and in 2006 he played as a central midfielder.

Liverpool Sign Mavinga

Source: soccernet

Chris Mavinga (born in Meaux) is a French footballer who currently plays as a defender for French Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain FC. He has a height of 179 cm and weight of 64 kg.

Cattermole to Replace Alonso or Mascherano?

Source: football365

Lee Barry Cattermole (born 21 March 1988 in Stockton-on-Tees, Teesside) is an English professional footballer who currently plays for Wigan Athletic as a midfielder.

Cattermole made his debut in the Tyne-Tees derby against Newcastle United on 2 January 2006, playing the full 90 minutes in a match that finished 2–2 in which the England youth international received man of the match. Former manager Steve McClaren later hailed his performance stating, "When we needed people to stand up and be counted, it took a seventeen-year-old to bring everyone together."

After a 0–4 home defeat to Aston Villa he was captured on camera in tears. However, after this game the team went on to win 7 out of their next 8 games, advancing to the quarter-finals of both the FA and UEFA cups and defeating Premier League champions Chelsea 3–0, only their second league defeat of the season. He played for Middlesbrough in the 2006 UEFA Cup Final.
Cattermole scored his first league goal for Middlesbrough on 2 April, in a 1–0 victory away at Manchester City.

Cattermole became Middlesbrough's youngest ever captain when he skippered the side in their 1–0 defeat away against Fulham on 7 May. During the game, Middlesbrough's oldest ever player, Colin Cooper, came on as a substitute and Cattermole sportingly gave up the captain's role, without instruction, to Cooper, who was playing his last ever game before retirement.
On Friday 20 October, Cattermole signed a new four-year deal to keep him at Middlesbrough until 2010.

On 29 July 2008, Cattermole signed for Wigan Athletic on a three year deal in a transfer worth £3.5 million. He made his debut on against West Ham United in a 2–1 loss. Cattermole scored his first goal for Wigan in a 3–0 home win over Blackburn Rovers. This also proved to be manager Paul Ince's final game in charge and subsequently, Sam Allardyce took over.

Berbatov + 20 mil Pounds = Aguero?

Source: goal

Sergio Leonel Agüero del Castillo (born 2 June 1988 in Quilmes, Buenos Aires Province) is an Argentine footballer who currently plays as a striker for Spanish football team Atlético Madrid and the Argentine national team.

Agüero earned his nickname "Kun" when his grandparents noted that his haircut looked like that of Japanese anime character "Kun Kun."

Sergio Agüero started playing for Argentine First Division Club Independiente, becoming the youngest player to debut in the Argentine First Division at 15 years and 35 days (on 7 July 2003 against Club Atlético San Lorenzo), breaking the record previously established by Diego Maradona in 1976.

In April 2006, it was reported that Atlético de Madrid had "pulled off a stunning transfer coup in the signing of Independiente striker Sergio Agüero." That same day, Independiente denied the reports, but the player himself later told Argentine television "Although I still don't know what's going to happen to me, this could have been my last goal and my last game for Independiente." On 29 May 2006, it was announced that Atlético Madrid had signed the striker for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around €23 million, breaking the club's previous transfer record. In the 2007-08 season, Agüero finished third in scoring in La Liga, behind Dani Güiza and Luís Fabiano, with 20 goals and was runner up in the Trofeo Alfredo di Stéfano award for best player in La Liga.

In the 2008-09 season, Agüero has become a regular goalscorer for Atlético, forming a strong partnership with Uruguayan striker Diego Forlán, also a former Independiente striker. On 1 March 2009, the duo of Diego Forlán and Agüero scored a brace each in a dramatic 4-3 win over league leaders FC Barcelona. Agüero finished in the top ten runners for the Pichichi Trophy while his teammate Forlán won the trophy. Atlético finished fourth in the league, securing a UEFA Champions League spot.

Chelsea Bidding for Adam Johnson

Source: goal

Adam Johnson (born 14 July 1987 in Horden) is an English footballer, currently playing for Middlesbrough. He is a left-winger but can also play on the right-wing.

Johnson is one of the many players to graduate from Middlesbrough's acclaimed Academy to the first team in recent years. He was part of the squad that won the 2003–04 FA Youth Cup. He also played for England's under-19s and has been tipped as a future star of the game by the coach, Lewis Richardson.

Johnson made his senior debut aged seventeen on 17 March 2005 in the UEFA Cup in the 1–0 defeat away to Sporting Lisbon. Almost six months later he made his Premiership debut, and first senior start, deputising for an injured Stewart Downing in a 2–1 home win against Arsenal.
Johnson's first goal for Middlesbrough came in a midweek English Premier League game against Bolton Wanders on the 3rd of May 2006. He was playing due to Middlesbrough's involvement in the UEFA Cup final which was to be played a week later as Steve McClaren rested most of the first team squad.

On 16 October 2006 he joined Leeds United on a months loan, playing five times. Later on in the season he came on as a substitute in the FA Cup replay with Bristol City and played a vital role in seeing Middlesbrough through to the next round by setting up one goal and scoring the winning penalty in the shootout.

In September 2007 Johnson joined Championship side Watford on a three month loan which was cut short due to consistent top quality standards. Johnson played 12 games for the club, scoring 5 times, before being recalled to Middlesbrough.

Liverpool in Pole Position to Sign Mathiew Valbuena

Source: goal

Mathieu Valbuena (born 28 September 1984 in Bruges, Gironde) is a footballer from France who currently plays for Marseille in Ligue 1. He plays as an attacking midfielder. Due to his small stature, he was given the nickname Le Petit vélo, which translates to "the small bike". This is a play on Valbuena's size and the fact that Marseille's home ground is called the Stade Vélodrome.

Mathieu began his career playing for the biggest club in the Gironde department, FC Girondins de Bordeaux. After spending a year there, he was dropped by the club due to his small stature, akin to Shaun Wright-Phillips's situation at Nottingham Forest. He moved to a local club, Langon-Castets, where he impressed scouts and after spending two years with them, moved to Championnat National side Libourne Saint-Seurin. In his two seasons with Libourne Saint-Seurin, his play went through a major upgrade, playing in 53 matches and scoring 10 goals. However, his performance during the 05–06 season was beneficial to the club playing in 29 matches and scoring 9 goals helping the club achieve promotion to Ligue 2, though they would get relegated back to National the following season. For his efforts that season, he was named the league's Player of the Year.

Due to his success with Libourne Saint-Seurin, Valbuena services were in high demand. On June 9, 2006, his dream move to Ligue 1 was complete securing a move to French giants Olympique de Marseille agreeing to a three-year deal.

Mathieu's start with Marseille got off to a bad start picking up an injury while training that same summer. Due to the injury, he made his debut late in the season against Valenciennes coming on as a substitute in their 1–0 victory. He made 14 more appearances that season, mainly as a substitute, including a match where he scored his first goal for Marseille, a game-winner in the 86th minute against Saint-Étienne.

The following season saw a drastic improvement from Valbuena, primarily due to him staying healthy and the departure of Franck Ribéry. His playing time increased and he displayed amazing form including scoring a wonder goal in a UEFA Champions League group stage match against English powerhouse Liverpool at Anfield.The goal would turn out to be the game-winner with Marseille upsetting Liverpool 1–0.

Due to his promising performances, Marseille awarded him a contract extension, which will keep him with the side until 2010. He signed a new extension in April 2008, which ties him to the club until 2013.

Due to playing with clubs of small stature early in his career, Valbuena did not receive any call-ups to any of the France national youth football team squads. Due to his impressive performances with Marseille, he was awarded a call up to the senior side by coach Raymond Domenech for their matches against England and Mali. However, he picked up an injury and was forced to miss out.

Arsenal Turns to Ever Banega

Source: goal

Éver Maximiliano David Banega (born 29 June 1988 in Rosario, Santa Fe) is an Argentine professional footballer currently playing for Valencia CF, mainly as a central midfielder.

Banega came through the youth ranks at Boca Juniors, reaching the first team at 18, and winning immediate recognition thanks to his passing average and his performances in the first division. After teammate midfielder Fernando Gago moved to Real Madrid in January 2007, Banega was named as his successor, despite his young age.

He made his professional debut in the 4-0 victory against Club Atlético Banfield on February 10, 2007. On April 2, just a few matches afterwards, he was given an ovation when he left the field.

On January 5, 2008, Banega signed with Spanish side Valencia CF on a five and-a-half year deal, for a fee of around €18 million. Unfortunately, this news were marred by revelations that he had appeared on a webcam performing a sexual act. Banega himself would not be drawn on the matter, which dated back to his Boca Juniors days. He had his first training session with the club on the 7th.

On 13 January 2008, Banega made his debut (also his first match with the Che), coming on as a substitute during the break, in a final 0-1 loss at Atlético de Madrid.

Banega was loaned to Atlético for 2008-09. He made his official debut as a substitute during the Colchoneros's 3-0 win at PSV Eindhoven, in the first group stage match of the UEFA Champions League.

However, Banega failed to settle at Atlético's starting XI, also being sent off twice, in away draws against Villarreal CF and UD Almería.

Liverpool Sign Chris Mavinga

Source: goal

Chris Mavinga (born in Meaux) is a French footballer who currently plays as a defender for French Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain FC. He has a height of 179 cm and weight of 64 kg.

Nikolaj Kohlert Close to Liverpool Move

Source: goal

Liverpool for Cambiasso?

Source: Goal

Esteban Matías Cambiasso Deleau (born 18 August 1980 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine footballer who currently plays as a defensive midfielder for Italian Serie A club Internazionale and the Argentine national team.

Cambiasso started his professional career with Argentinos Juniors in 1995, moving to Real Madrid B in 1996.

In 1998, he moved back to Argentina where he played for three years with Independiente and one with River Plate. During this time, he earned his nickname "Egg in a bun." With some good experience under his belt, he returned to Real Madrid in 2002. He helped Los Galacticos win the UEFA Super Cup in 2002, La Liga, and the Intercontinental Cup in 2003, and the Spanish SuperCup in 2004.

In July 2004, Cambiasso signed with Internazionale after his contract with Real Madrid expired in June 2004. He helped Internazionale win the Italian Cup in his first season with the club, playing regularly as a defensive midfielder, partnered in the middle of Inter's midfield with fellow Argentinian Juan Sebastián Verón. In Italy, he became known as one of the outstanding players of the 2004-05 season, along with AC Milan's Kaká.

During the return match for the final of the 2006 Coppa Italia, Cambiasso scored an impressive goal, the first of the match, for the 3-1 victory over Roma. On 30 September 2006, he scored twice in the opening game of the season, with Inter defeating Fiorentina 3-2. On 7 November 2007, he along with Zlatan Ibrahimović scored a brace a piece to defeat CSKA Moscow 4-2 in the UEFA Champions League. On 23 March 2009, it was announced that Inter and Cambiasso had come to terms about a contract renewal which now expires in 2014.

On 31 May 2009, against Atalanta, Cambiasso scored from a rebound off Sulley Muntari's deflected shot to equalise the score at 3-3, which Inter eventually won 4-3.

Introducing Obertan

United’s new signing may be something of an unknown quantity in England, but over in France they’ve been singing his praises for years.

In fact, Gabriel Obertan was being tipped for the top long before he even made his senior debut for Bordeaux as a 17-year-old.

So what sort of player is the France U21 international? And what can United fans expect from his first season at Old Trafford? To find out, we spoke exclusively to BBC 5Live’s European football expert Andy Brassell...

How highly rated is Obertan in France?

He’s a terrific player, although, to be honest, I think some people in France are quite surprised by the transfer. He’s been on the cusp of something great at Bordeaux for a while now – he made his debut at 17 – but he hasn’t quite kicked on and forced himself into the side on a regular basis. Despite that, I think he’ll be a really good fit at United.

What are his main attributes?

He’s a very versatile player and the way United play you need your frontmen to be mobile and flexible. He’s a right-sided attacker, but he can also drop back into midfield or play as a second striker. He could probably also play in central midfield, and I expect his adaptability is one reason Sir Alex was interested in him. He went through the famous Clairefontaine football academy so he has a lot of technical ability and he’s also very quick.

So he’s not a like-for-like replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo?

No, I don’t think you can compare him to Ronaldo or claim he’ll be a direct replacement – they’re different sorts of players. However, like Ronaldo when he first came to England, there’s an element of the unknown around Obertan, which could work in his favour. Remember, though, Obertan’s played about 100 first-team games already and he’s played in the Champions League, so he has decent experience under his belt. In that sense, he’s maybe better prepared for England than Ronaldo was when he first arrived. Obertan also understands his attributes very well: he’s direct and has plenty of tricks, but he’s not going to over-elaborate or do them for the sake of showing off.

Are we talking about a future star?

Well, a lot of people in France think he could become something really special. He hasn’t quite progressed at the rate people had hoped after his debut at 17, but he’s also been a little bit unlucky. Last year, for instance, Bordeaux played Roma in the Champions League and Obertan started terrifically. Bordeaux went 1-0 up and things were looking really good. But then their centre-back was sent off and Obertan was sacrificed for a defender and Bordeaux ended up losing. Similar things have happened on one or two other occasions and there was a feeling that it just wasn’t going to happen for him at Bordeaux, a feeling that luck just wasn’t going his way.

He was sent out on loan to FC Lorient for the second half of 2008/09. They’re not exactly a big club…

That’s true, but he did very well at Lorient. And the fact that Bordeaux sent him on loan to a struggling side shouldn’t be seen as a negative. I think it served two purposes: it said to him that he needed to play more games and start making some progress, but it also would have provided a valuable education. Lorient are a modest club without bells or whistles – he would have been forced to work hard there and roll his sleeves up and get stuck in. While he was there he played for France U21s against England U21s in Nottingham. France won that night, Obertan was the best player on the park and scored the first goal. That performance was a good indication of what he’s capable of.

Realistically, how much can United fans expect to see him this season?

He’s relatively unknown so I don’t think too much will be expected of him. There won’t be too much pressure. I see it almost as a free season for him to ease himself into the club. I definitely wouldn’t like to see him go out on loan – he has such fantastic players to learn from at United and because he’s tall, pacy and has tricks I think he’ll work really well as an impact substitute against tired defenders. I can see him playing about 25 games this season.

Can he cope with the rigours of the English game?

Absolutely. I think the French league, in general, is a great finishing school for life in England. It’s physically tougher than most other leagues in Europe – certainly the Spanish, Portuguese, German or Italian leagues – so that helps players prepare for the Premier League. Most players who have come from France to England are quite physical and get stuck in – people like Drogba and Essien at Chelsea and even Bassong at Newcastle. Obertan is a big guy – 6ft 1in – he’s quick and he can handle himself against defenders. I think that’s something that would have really appealed to United.

Source: manutd.com

Bruno Alves Interested in Chelsea Move

Source: football365

Bruno Eduardo Regufe Alves (born 27 November 1981 in Póvoa de Varzim) is a Portuguese footballer who currently plays for FC Porto as a central defender.

Alves is noted for his strength, aerial ability, and is the younger brother of another footballer, AEK Athens' defender Geraldo. His father (who is also his agent) is Brazilian and his mother is Portuguese.

After three consecutive loans, two in Portugal and another in Greece with AEK Athens, Alves returned to FC Porto in 2005-06, extended his link until 2010, and battled for a first-team spot with Ricardo Costa and João Paulo. He played in seven league matches for the eventual champions, but was infamously sent off on October 15, 2005, in a 0–2 home loss against S.L. Benfica, after headbutting Nuno Gomes.

The arrival of Jesualdo Ferreira at the helm of Porto would signal the turning point in Alves' career. He beat off stiff competition for a starting berth in the team alongside Pepe and formed a rock solid partnership with the Brazilian. An impressive season saw the player, now in his mid-twenties, finally come of age. Alves was ever-present as Porto won another national championship, and while the likes of Ricardo Quaresma, Anderson, Lucho González, and Pepe picked up most of the plaudits, his key role in the success did not go unnoticed.

Luiz Felipe Scolari gave the defender his full Portugal debut in June 2007 against Kuwait. At UEFA Euro 2008, Alves played in the 0–2 group stage loss against Switzerland.

On 10 May 2009, Alves netted the game's only goal in a home win over CD Nacional, which ensured the Dragões and the player a fourth consecutive league accolade.

Man Utd to sign Obertan

Source: Soccernet

Gabriel Obertan (born February 26, 1989 in Pantin, Paris, France) is a French footballer currently playing for FC Girondins de Bordeaux in Ligue 1. He primarily plays as a winger, but can also play in the central midfield and as a striker.

Gabriel began his career playing for his local club in Pantin before moving to a higher level joining Paris FC in 2002. After spending a year there, he did what most youths at Paris FC often do and joined Paris-Saint Germain. Following another year of training, he moved to the famed Clairefontaine academy in order to further his development. It was here where he was first spotted by Bordeaux scouts. After a year at Clairefontaine, he moved to Bordeaux to began training with them.

Young for Man Utd?

Source: Tom

Ashley Simon Young (born 9 July 1985 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire) is an English footballer who currently plays as a winger or second striker for Aston Villa. Young has a younger brother, Lewis who plays for Watford.

Man Utd Targets Yaya Toure

Source: tom

Gnégnéri Yaya Touré (born 13 May 1983 in Bouake), also spelled Yaya Touré or Touré Yaya, is an Ivorian footballer who currently plays for Spanish La Liga club FC Barcelona. He is a defensive midfielder renowned for coupling physical power with great technique and ball skill. He is the first player from Côte d'Ivoire to play for FC Barcelona. He has 27 caps for Côte d'Ivoire, representing the team in their first ever appearance in a FIFA World Cup, in 2006.

Touré is the younger brother of Arsenal defender Kolo Touré. He also has a younger brother named Ibrahim who currently plays for Al-Ittihad in Syria.

Zhirkov in for Chelsea

Source: football365

Yuriy Valentinovich Zhirkov (born 20 August 1983 in Tambov) is a Russian football midfielder who currently plays for Chelsea and the Russian national team.

Chelsea Signs Daniel Sturridge

Source: Skysports

Sturridge began his career at Aston Villa before moving to Coventry City in 2002, from where he joined Manchester City's Academy in 2003, aged 13. A Football League committee later ordered Manchester City to pay Coventry £30,000 compensation, with further payments up to a maximum of £200,000 based upon appearances and international honours. The following year, he was the leading scorer and voted Most Valuable Player (the only other person to achieve this was Argentine footballer Carlos Tévez) as Manchester City won the Nike Cup, the world's largest under-15 tournament. At 16, he played for Manchester City Youth during their 2006 FA Youth Cup run. The youngest player in the side, he scored four goals en route to the final, and another two in the final, though they were insufficient to prevent a 3–2 aggregate defeat to Liverpool. That summer, he signed his first professional contract, which came into effect when he turned 17.

From the start of the 2006–07 season, Sturridge began to train with the Manchester City first team. A hat-trick in a reserve match was rewarded by a place on the substitutes' bench for the senior side's match with Reading in February 2007. He duly made his debut from the bench, replacing Georgios Samaras for the final quarter-hour. He made a second substitute appearance a month later, but then suffered a hip injury which sidelined him for the remainder of 2007.

He scored his first goal for Manchester City on 27 January 2008 in an FA Cup match against Sheffield United, followed three days later by his first league goal on his full debut, against Derby County. However, first team opportunities were sporadic, so Sturridge continued to play for the youth team in the FA Youth Cup. Manchester City again reached the final, with Sturridge the leading scorer in the competition. This time City won the final, Sturridge scoring in the first leg. In the 2007–08 season, Sturridge became the only player ever to score in the Youth FA Cup, the FA Cup and the Premier League in the same season.

As of 1 May 2009, after 16 appearances in the 2008–09 Premier League season, Sturridge had scored four goals and provided three assists. At the end of the 2008–09 season, the Manchester City fans voted Sturridge as the Manchester City Young Player of the Season.

With Sturridge's contract at Manchester City expired, he signed for Chelsea on the 3 July 2009. As Sturridge is under the age of 24, and the two sides were unable to agree a deal, the fee for Sturridge will be decided by a tribunal. Sturridge has signed a four year contract with Chelsea.

Owen Joins United

Source: ManUtd.com

Michael James Owen (born 14 December 1979 in Chester) is an English professional association football player who plays as a striker for Manchester United.

The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. he progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997. In his first full season in the Premier League he finished as joint top scorer. He repeated the feat the following year and was Liverpool's top goal scorer from 1997–2004, in spite of a recurring hamstring injury. His first major club honours came in 2001 when Liverpool won a cup treble of the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and Football League Cup, and Owen was the recipient of the Ballon d'Or that year. He went on to score 118 goals in 216 appearances in the English Premier League for Liverpool.

Owen moved to Real Madrid for £8 million in mid-2004 but was frequently used as a substitute. In spite of this, he scored 13 goals in La Liga and had the season's highest ratio of goals scored to number of minutes played. He returned to England the following season, joining Newcastle United for £16 million. He had a promising start to the 2005–06 season but injuries largely ruled him out over the next 18 months. After his return he became team captain and was the team's top scorer for the 2007–08 season. In the final year of his four year contract, Newcastle were relegated, and Owen moved to Manchester United as a free agent.

Internationally, Owen first played for the senior England team in 1998, becoming England's youngest player and youngest goalscorer at the time. His performance at the 1998 World Cup brought him to national and international prominence and he went on to appear, and score, in Euro 2000, the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004. He is the only player to ever have scored in four major tournaments for England. He played at the 2006 World Cup but suffered an injury which took him a year to recover from. Occasionally playing as captain, he is England's seventh most-capped player and has scored a national record of 26 competitive goals, with 40 in total from 89 appearances.

Owen's long injury absence after the 2006 World Cup resulted in a dispute between FIFA and The FA and Newcastle United, and eventually resulted in an unprecedented £10m compensation award to Newcastle, and brought changes to the compensation arrangements between 'club and country' regarding injuries sustained by contracted club players while on international duty.