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.