Owen confirms spell at Newcastle is at an end

MICHAEL OWEN has confirmed he will leave Newcastle when his contract expires at the end of the month.

The 29-year-old, who rejected a new deal at St James’ Park at the turn of the year, is to end his stay on Tyneside four years after making a club record £17million (€20m) switch from Real Madrid.

Owen’s decision comes as no surprise as the Magpies attempt to slash their wage bill in the wake of a disastrous relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

His availability has been made known to a series of clubs both at home and abroad by his representatives in recent weeks, and he has admitted he is looking to stay in the Premier League, or to play at a comparative level in another country.

Owen said: “I’m still obviously contracted to Newcastle. I’ve still got weeks, a month or whatever left, I’m not sure, so that’s where I am at the minute.

“I don’t think I’m going to be re-signing at Newcastle. I don’t think they are going to offer me a contract and I would prefer to play in the Premier League or a top division somewhere else. I’m still a Newcastle player, but I think it will only be for a matter of weeks.

“There are plenty of clubs who would interest me, but we will see where that is, whether that’s home or abroad.

“There has been a lot of interest from abroad, and quite a bit from at home as well.

“Obviously, the Premier League is where I feel I belong. I played a year out in Spain and enjoyed it at Real Madrid, but it definitely confirmed to me that I prefer the Premier League.

“So if it was to be a good English club, that would be my preference, but I have had quite a lot of interest from abroad, so I wouldn’t rule that out.”

Owen has been linked with a series of potential purchasers since it became apparent that his future did not lie on Tyneside, with Everton and Hull among those to have been mentioned most prominently.

Tigers boss Phil Brown has confirmed his interest in the striker, but has insisted no offer has been made, and Owen says he is not aware of an approach from the Humberside club.

He said: “I haven’t been made aware of that. That’s quite a new one.

“I suppose I have been linked to virtually every team over the last few months. But I will sit down over the next couple of weeks.

“I don’t think it’s quite fair to Newcastle (to talk about possible destinations). As I said, I can’t see me staying at Newcastle. I have had four enjoyable years and I’m very sorry, obviously, to leave them when they are going to be in Championship, so I wouldn’t like to be talking about specific clubs I could be joining while I’m still a Newcastle player.”