Michael Owen, the former Newcastle United forward, has completed his free transfer to Manchester United.

Owen has signed a two-year deal at Old Trafford after allowing his contract at St James' Park to run down.

He passed his medical today and spent the day at the club's Carrington training ground.

Owen told www.manutd.com: "I had just begun to talk to other clubs when out of the blue Sir Alex phoned me on Wednesday afternoon, invited me to have breakfast with him the next morning during which he told me that he wanted to sign me. I agreed without a moment's thought.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I intend to seize it with both hands.

"I am now looking forward to being a Manchester United player and I am fortunate that I already know so many of the players here. I missed pre-season last year and am pleased that I will be starting at Carrington from day one.”