Perth Glory rules out signing Michael Owen

Updated January 07, 2013 17:04:58

Perth Glory says former Liverpool star Michael Owen will not be joining the club.

There was worldwide speculation Owen could join the Glory after the club spoke to his management to ask about his wage demands.

But coach Ian Ferguson says he has decided he would rather sign a younger player, and someone with more recent game time under his belt than Owen, who has been on the outer at English Premier League club Stoke.

Owen is one of the most successful strikers in recent years, having played for Liverpool 306 times, scoring 179 goals.

He also scored 40 times in 89 appearances for the English national team.

Perth Glory is looking to replace striker Billy Mehmet, who quit to join a Thailand-based club.

Tags: soccer, perth-6000

First posted January 07, 2013 17:04:58

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Jets confirm Heskey signing

Updated September 21, 2012 09:40:42

The Newcastle Jets have confirmed the signing of former England international and Premier League star Emile Heskey as the club's marquee player for the 2012-13 A-League season.

The FA Cup, Football League Cup and UEFA Cup winner joins the Jets after playing 28 matches for Aston Villa in the English Premier League last season.

"To secure the signature of Emile is a fantastic result for the Jets and for the A-League," Jets chief executive Robbie Middleby said on Friday.

"Emile has played our game at the highest level in England, both internationally and domestically, and he finished last season playing with Aston Villa in the English Premier League.

"We are aware that Emile had other offers but he is genuinely excited to be a part of what we want to achieve at the Jets.

"He was particularly interested in our Emerging Jets Program as this is what most Premier League clubs have already established.

"Emile's relationship with former English Premier League players Michael Bridges and Robbie Fowler assisted him in understanding what the A-League has to offer."

Jets coach Gary van Egmond shares the sentiments of Middleby.

"Emile is someone who has unbelievable experience, having played for England 62 times," van Egmond said.

"His effectiveness in being able to hold the ball up and invite other players to play off him is going to be a big benefit to us.

"He's someone who can really lead the line and is exactly what we've been missing."

In total, the striker has made 516 Premier League appearances during a stellar 17-year career in England's top flight, scoring 110 goals.

The 34-year-old is best known for his time at Liverpool FC, where he played 150 league matches and found the back of the net on 39 occasions for the Reds during five seasons at the famous club.

Heskey scored 22 goals in all competitions when Liverpool won the FA Cup, Football League Cup and UEFA Cup treble in 2000-01.

As well as Aston Villa and Liverpool, Heskey has played for top English Clubs Leicester City, Birmingham City and Wigan Athletic.

Heskey also brings valuable international experience to the Jets, having represented England on 62 occasions and scoring seven goals.

He has played in two World Cups for the Three Lions, and played in every match of England's 2010 World Cup campaign in South Africa.

"This is an exciting new period in my life and I am looking forward to making a special contribution to the A-League and most importantly, to the Jets," Heskey said.

"I hope I can help grow football at the grassroots level and also provide advice to young players at the Jets.

"The season isn't far away, so I will be in Newcastle soon, training with my new team-mates and be ready for kick off on October 7."

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, newcastle-2300

First posted September 21, 2012 08:44:06

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Socceroo pair in mix for West Sydney signing

Updated June 01, 2012 17:16:01

Socceroos Scott Chipperfield and Mark Bridge have emerged as potential marquee signings for new A-League club West Sydney after both made significant moves on Friday.

Bridge asked for a release from the final year of his three-season deal with Sydney FC, while Chipperfield will go from beating Manchester United with Swiss club Basel to taking on the likes of Dapto Dandaloo and Wollongong United.

Chipperfield will return to where it all began after committing to a short-term deal with Wollongong club Tarrawanna in the Illawarra Premier League.

He has indicated his desire to secure an A-League deal as he winds down his impressive career, but is unlikely to find a home at Sydney FC which has recently signed former Melbourne left-back Fabio.

New West Sydney coach Tony Popovic has connections with both players, which could be a decisive factor in any future contract negotiations.

Bridge, who was granted a release by Sydney FC, is familiar with Sydney's west, having played for Parramatta in the old NSL and, at 26, has proved he has the maturity to lead any attack.

He cited a desire for a new challenge as reasons for wanting to leave the Sky Blues, and being involved with a new club from the ground up could appeal to the talented striker should he choose to pursue his career in Australia rather than overseas.

Chipperfield has had a successful decade overseas and he's come a long way from his days of driving a bus in Wollongong to supplement his then meagre football income.

Basel knocked out Manchester United in this year's European Champions League before losing in the round of 16 to eventual runners-up Bayern Munich.

When he returns to Australia, he will trade Old Trafford for the more humble suburban grounds of the south coast.

Tarrawanna secretary Phillip Porter was delighted to have Chipperfield back at his junior club.

"Scott has been very involved with our club, he was our shirt sponsor a few seasons ago. It will be good for our fans to see him play," Porter said.

"He has indicated that he wants to play the whole season, and we're confident that he will be available for a minimum five games even if he secures an A-League contract."

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, blacktown-2148, nsw, australia

First posted June 01, 2012 17:16:01

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Liverpool completes Henderson signing

Posted June 10, 2011 07:06:00

Liverpool continues to bolster its squad by completing the signing of England midfielder Jordan Henderson from Sunderland.

No fee or details of his contract were disclosed, but Liverpool said Henderson had passed a medical and agreed personal terms to become manager Kenny Dalglish's first major signing since the end of last season.

Dalglish has identified the 20-year-old Henderson as a key player as he bids to bring the English league title back to Anfield for the first time since 1990.

"I'm over the moon to be here and the fans will see me giving everything I've got in every game I play," Henderson said on the Premier League club's website.

"Hopefully, they'll enjoy watching me as much as I'll enjoy playing for this club."

Newspaper reports said Henderson, capped once by England in its 2-1 friendly defeat by France last November, cost Liverpool around 20 million pounds and the player has now joined up with the England under-21 squad ahead of the European Championship in Denmark.

Henderson enjoyed a consistent season for Sunderland with a number of strong displays in the centre of midfield and is considered one of the country's best prospects.

He will now compete with Steven Gerrard, Lucas Leiva, Raul Meireles, Jay Spearing, Christian Poulsen and Jonjo Shelvey for a place in Liverpool's midfield.

"He (Gerrard) is one of the best players in the world, you want to be playing with him and training with him to try and improve yourself as a player," Henderson said.

"I've trained with him once (for England) and he was unbelievable, to be honest.

"Steven has been a massive, massive player for Liverpool for years now and he still is.

"Hopefully I can learn a lot from him."

Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli praised Henderson's maturity and work ethic.

"It is very difficult to believe you are talking to a 20-year-old. You think you're talking to a 25-year-old," Comolli said.

"He's very passionate about football, very committed, a top professional.

"He's the type of player who'll stay behind after training and do extra work."

Dalglish returned to Liverpool in January and although Spanish striker Fernando Torres left the club soon afterwards, he was replaced by England forward Andy Carroll and Uruguayan Luis Suarez for a combined fee of around 50 million pounds.

-Reuters

Tags: sport, football, english-premier-league, united-kingdom, england

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