Owen joins Newcastle United

Owen had been in talks with Newcastle boss Graeme Souness, and Chairman, Freddy Shephard, who were able to persuade the England striker to join the Magpies. Ex-England teammate Alan Shearer is also thought to have used his friendship with the player to coeerce Owen to the North East.

The deal is thought to be worth around £16m, around double the amount Liverpool would have paid for the return of Owen, due a to a buy back clause in the contract signed with Real just over a year ago.

But it seems certain that St. James park will feel a long way from the Bernabeu, with the Barcodes currently languishing in the bottom three of the Premiership, and unable to score so far this season.

But without the likes of Ronaldo, Robinho, Julio Baptista, or Raul ahead of him in the pecking order, Owen will be guaranteed a starting position up front, vital, he believes, to secure his place for the upcoming World Cup Finals in 2006.

Meanwhile many Red fans will be disappointed with what may seem to be a missed opportunity to sign a proven talent and regular goal scorer.

But only time will tell whether Rafa Benitez's disinterest in signing the player will prove to be costlier than the inability to hold onto him at the start of his tenure as Reds boss.