Football: Michael Owen completes free transfer to Stoke

STOKE, England (AP) - Former England striker Michael Owen has completed his free transfer to Stoke in time to be included in the team's 25-man squad for this season's English Premier League campaign.

Owen, who was released by Manchester United this summer after three years at Old Trafford, agreed to terms with Stoke on Wednesday but had to wait a further 24 hours before the transfer was approved by the EPL.

The 32-year-old Owen says "we have been in talks for a while and it was a club I was always keen to join." The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle striker made just four appearances last season for United. He hasn't played competitively since November because of a thigh injury.

His Stoke debut could come against Manchester City on Sept 15.