Michael Owen to promote PES 2008

England star to appear on football game's packaging

Konami has secured the services of Michael Owen to appear on the box of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008, as well as other promotional materials.

The Newcastle and England striker joins Manchester United and Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo as part of the marketing campaign for the title.

“Securing Michael Owen is a real coup for Konami,” commented PES Team Leader at Konami Jon Murphy. “Since he burst on to the scene, he has proven himself an incredible goal-scorer, netting at every level both domestic and international. We are delighted to be working alongside such a talent.”

“PES 2008 is a fantastic game, and the only choice for pro players,” added Owen.

Michael Owen was born in Chester on 14 December 1979.

At 11 Michael Owen broke the goal-scoring record at Deeside Primary School when he scored 79 goals (the previous record was held by another former Liverpool star, Ian Rush).

His father, Terry, played for both Chester and Everton, but Michael Owen joined Liverpool straight from the juniors on 18 December 1996 and stayed at Anfield until 2004 when he joined England team mate, David Beckham at Real Madrid.

Michael Owen made his England debut against Chile on February 11, 1998 and his first goal for the national side came on May 27 1998 against Morocco but the 18 year-old really made his name with a fantastic goal for England against Argentina in the 1988 World Cup.

2001 was a great year for Owen as he was instrumental in Liverpool's treble of the FA Cup, League Cup and Eufa Cup. Owen was named European Footballer of the Year and Football Writers' Player of the Year.

2001 was also the year that Owen struck a hat-trick against Germany in England's decisive World Cup qualifier, which they won 5-1.

Owen has been dogged by injuries throughout his career. Normally brilliant at snapping up half-chances his last year at Liverpool proved disappointing as Michael seemed to have lost some of his trademark sharpness. He also missed several penalties.

Neverthless, having joined Real Madrid for £8m in August 2004, Owen seemed to have settled in at the Spanish club. However, in August 2005, Michael Owen joined Newcastle United for a club record transfer fee of over £15 million.

He scored his first goal for the Magpies in their 3-0 victory at Blackburn in September 2005. Owen appeared to be playing well for Newcastle when he suffered another injury.

Owen had broken his foot on New Year's Eve at Tottenham, but he recovered sufficiently to play at the 2006 World Cup but did not look at his best and was substituted in England's opening games.

He then ruptured his anterior cruciate knee ligament in the match against Sweden - thereby missing the rest of the World Cup and a sizeable portion of the 2006/7 season.

In June 2005 Michael Owen married his long-time sweetheart, Louise Bonsall. They have a daughter Gemma Rose and a son James Michael.

On 30 April 2007, Michael Owen played for Newcastle against Reading. It was almost exactly a year since he had last played for Newcastle.

Michael Owen's goal in England's 3-0 victory over Estonia on 6 June 2007 was his 23rd competitive strike in 49 internationals, thereby overtaking Gary Lineker's England scoring record.