10 Summer Football Transfers That Came Completely Out Of Nowhere
9. Michael Owen - Free Agent To Manchester United
The Michael Owen we saw donning the black and white of Newcastle United from 2005 to 2009 was a very different player to the one who left the Premier League for Spanish giants Real Madrid at the end of the 2003/04 season.
Gone were the mazy runs and regular goals, and in their place were inconsistent performances and numerous frustrating injuries.
After a deeply disappointing run with the Magpies, it came as little surprise to hear that Owen would be leaving at the end of his deal with the club. What did shock the world, however, was the announcement of where he would by plying his trade next.
Sensing the Ballon D'Or winner still had something to offer a top side in the Premier League, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson decided to offer the 29 year-old former Liverpool superstar a pay-as-you-play deal with The Red Devils at the start of the 2009/10 campaign.
Though he would never tear up the league quite like he did in his younger years again, Owen was still at the centre of one of the most exciting games in Premier League history as he scored the winner in United's famous 4-3 victory over fierce rivals Manchester City in his first season.
After just 52 appearances across three seasons though, Owen eventually left Ferguson's side in May 2012.