Michael Owen, one of England's most prolific goalscorers, has today announced his retirement from football.
Though Owen, 33, has suffered with injury problems in recent years, his career will be long remembered thanks to his incredible goalscoring record at boyhood club Liverpool which saw him net 158 goals in 297 appearances.
Grimsby Town fans may remember the striker's first senior hat-trick which came during the Mariners' 3-0 League Cup defeat at Anfield in November 1997.
Owen also made a huge impact for the England team.
After making his first senior international appearance aged just 18, Owen eventually collected 89 caps and became England's all-time fourth highest goalscorer.
His England career took in a number of memorable moments including a wonder-goal against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup and a hat-trick in England's famous 5-1 win over Germany in September 2001
Following a long spell with the Reds, Owen moved to Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2004 followed by transfers to Newcastle United in 2005, Manchester United in 2009 and, finally, Stoke City in 2012. What are your memories of Michael Owen's career? Did you go to the game at Anfield in 1997? Let us know by commenting below.
