And a few more transfers to report

The summer transfer window is closed but Michael Owen moves on a free transfer to Stoke while Del Piero is off to Oz.

Former England striker Michael Owen carries the Olympic Torch through Battersea dogs home with a Staffordshire Bull Terrier called Rory in London
Former England striker Michael Owen is on his way to Stoke after three years at Man United [Reuters]

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 September 15.

And Manchester United have completed the signing of Chilean striker Angelo Henriquez two weeks after he was granted a work permit to join the Premier League giants. 

United manager Alex Ferguson has been scouting the 18-year-old since 2008 but he will originally be used in the reserves or under-21 team.

“I am thrilled to be joining the biggest club in the world,” Hernandez said on the signing.

Also on Wednesday, former Juventus forward Alessandro Del Piero announced he is joining Sydney FC in a deal that will make him the highest-profile player in the A-League.

Del Piero says he is starting “a splendid and great adventure” and that he couldn’t have chosen “a better situation or a better place.”

The two-year deal is reportedly worth $2 million per season, which would make Del Piero the highest paid athlete in Australia’s four football codes, including rugby league, rugby union and Australian Rules.

The 37-year-old Del Piero reportedly turned down offers from English Premier League clubs Liverpool and Southampton.

Source: News Agencies