LONDON – Former England striker Michael Owen has joined Stoke City on a free transfer, subject to Premier League Board approval, the club announced Tuesday. Owen, who made his name at Liverpool before joining Real Madrid, has signed a one-year deal following his release from Stoke's Premier League rival Manchester United at the end of last season. He has enjoyed an impressive career, scoring 221 goals in 473 appearances. But the 32-year-old's career has been blighted by a series of injury problems and he has started just one Premier League match in the last two seasons. And it is that fitness record which has led to reports, still to be confirmed by Stoke, that he has signed on a pay-as-you play deal. Owen becomes City's seventh signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Jamie Ness, Geoff Cameron, Michael Kightly, Maurice Edu, Charlie Adam and Steven N'Zonzi. For England, Owen scored 40 goals in 89 appearances, including a hat trick against Germany in a 5-1 victory just over a decade ago. Del Piero undecided Former Juventus forward Alessandro Del Piero is preparing to make a decision on his future, with Sydney FC and English Premier League club Southampton reportedly his final options. The Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata met for two hours Monday in Turin with Del Piero's brother and agent, Stefano. Stefano Del Piero tells the Gazzetta that the Sydney offer (a reported $2 million per season) is “a valid option and a concrete proposal,” adding that they need to “discuss details.” Meanwhile, the Gazzetta says last-place Southampton has offered a two-year deal worth €1 million ($1.26 million) plus bonuses per season. In Australia, the 37-year-old Del Piero would become a football ambassador, while in England he could continue to compete at the game's highest level. Buffon plans to continue Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon plans to continue playing through the 2014 World Cup, which will likely make him the Azzurri's all-time appearance leader. “I'm not thinking about the end of my career, I'm 34 and I think I look pretty good. Plus, I'm in great physical condition and I'm full of enthusiasm,” Buffon said Tuesday as Italy prepares for its opening World cup qualifiers against Bulgaria Friday and Malta four days later. — Agencies
