Factbox on Liverpool and
England striker Michael Owen who is joining Real Madrid according to the
Premier League club's coach Rafael Benitez:
Born: December 14, 1979 in Chester.
1996: Helps Liverpool win FA Youth Cup and signs professional terms at
Anfield.
1997: May - Scores on his debut for Liverpool first-team against
Wimbledon. Also nets in debut for England under-21s.
1998: February - Makes senior England debut aged 18 against Chile to
become youngest player in the last century to represent England.
May - Finishes first full season in Liverpool first team with 23 goals
and named in England's World Cup squad for France 98.
June: Scores as a substitute in defeat by Romania. Scores wonderful solo
effort against Argentina in second round but England lose in penalty
shootout.
1999: April - Injures hamstring against Leeds United and misses three
months. Another hamstring injury disrupts the early part of his
1999-2000 season.
2000: May - Scores in England friendly against Brazil at Wembley.
June - Named in Kevin Keegan's squad for Euro 2000. Scores against
Romania but England failed to make knockout stage.
September - Scores against world champions France in 1-1 draw in Paris.
Injuries and poor form restricts his early season performances for
Liverpool.
2001: February - Left out of Liverpool side that wins League Cup in
penalty shootout against Birmingham City.
March - Scores in England's 2-1 win over Finland in World Cup qualifier
at Anfield. Scores again in 3-1 win in Albania four days later.
May - Scores twice in last seven minutes to give Liverpool 2-1 win over
Arsenal in FA Cup final. Plays in Liverpool's 5-4 win over Alaves in
UEFA Cup final.
August: Scores hat-trick against Finnish side Haka Valkeakoski in
Champions League qualifying.
September 1: Hits hat-trick as England demolish Germany 5-1 in World Cup
qualifier in Munich.
Sept 26: Signs new contract with Liverpool, due to take him through to
2005.
December 17: Named European Footballer of the Year.
December 29: Scores 100th goal for Liverpool in season in which he was
dogged by hamstring injuries.
2002 April 9: Liverpool knocked out of Champions League by Bayer
Leverkusen after Owen misses three clear-cut chances.
April 16 - Named England captain, youngest since Bobby Moore.
June - Plays in England's World Cup campaign, scoring in the second
round against Denmark and also in the 2-1 quarter-final defeat by Brazil,
despite carrying an injury.
2003 March 2 - Scores Liverpool's second goal as they beat Manchester
United 2-1 in the League Cup final.
2003 May - Liverpool are beaten to a Champions League spot but England
go on to reach Euro 2004, with Owen scoring five goals in qualifying.
2004 June - Owen struggles at Euro 2004 after another season interrupted
by injuries but scores in the 2-2 quarter-final draw with Portugal which
England then lose on penalties.
August - British media reports say he is about to move to Real Madrid.
Speculation heightened by Owen being kept on the bench for a 2-0
Champions League qualifying win at Graz AK on August 10.
Aug 13 - Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez says Owen is joining Real Madrid
for an undisclosed fee.
