By Matthew Jones
August 31 2005

25-year-old striker Michael Owen speaks about his £17 million move to Newcastle United. Owen yesterday sign a four-year deal at St James' Park - although this includes a clause that will allow him to leave Newcastle for £12m at the end of the season

He said: "I was uncertain that a Liverpool bid would be accepted in time and I wanted to play for a club who really wanted me.

"My mind was made up, particularly when I thought back to the excellent meeting I had enjoyed with the Newcastle directors, management and Alan Shearer.

"I flew by private plane into Liverpool airport and went straight into a meeting with Rick Parry, the chief executive, and Rafael Benitez at a friend's house in Liverpool.

"Rafa and I sat together in the lounge while my adviser discussed my playing contract with Rick in the dining room. We were together for about two and a half hours and I would say that it was a good meeting - the most positive I had heard out of Liverpool - and we spoke to Rafa and Rick again on the journey up to Newcastle.

"On the journey home from those talks, my mind was still spinning. Would Liverpool's offer be in time and accepted? What would happen to me if I stayed at Madrid? How much would I miss European football if I signed for Newcastle?

"I arrived home at around 9.30pm and sat in the kitchen with my Mum, Dad and wife, Louise. With growing doubts about the Liverpool deal, my mind was made up.

"It will be strange going back to Anfield with another club but I won't be the first player to do that and, as Jamie Carragher told me yesterday, he is already looking forward to giving me a kick."

Quotes from icLiverpool (Ian Doyle, Daily Post Staff)