Intro:

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

Script:

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

The Stoke City striker made his senior debut for Liverpool at 17, before showcasing his talent on the global stage with a memorable solo goal for England against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup.

The 33-year old scored 40 goals in 89 internationals, including a hattrick against Germany in England's famous 5-1 victory over their rivals in 2001.

That year he also won European Footballer of the Year - the first Englishman to do so since Kevin Keegan in 1979.

Owen also represented Real Madrid, Newcastle, and Manchester United before his move to the Britannia Stadium at the start of this season.

Although injury plagued the latter stages of his career, Owen remains the only Englishman to have scored in four major tournaments and is fourth on the all-time goalscoring list behind Sir Bobby Charlton, Gary Lineker and Jimmy Greaves.