Newcastle United Football Club News

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52,193

Owen hits out at exit talk

26 Aug 2007 - 11:47:28

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Unhappy striker Michael Owen has hit out at suggestions that he is not 100 per cent committed to Newcastle United.

The 27-year-old England hitman has been linked with an exit from St James' Park throughout the summer amid reports of an £11million release clause in his contract.

But the former Liverpool and Real Madrid star claims he is totally committed to the Magpies and not looking to engineer a move to one of the Premier League's big four clubs.

The injury-plagued striker has started just 13 games following his £16million move from Real Madrid two years ago.

"I've only been at Newcastle two years and the speculation's been unbelievable. At the end of every season, people were asking 'Is Michael Owen going to stay or not?' he told the News of the World.

"I live up there and my kids have been to school up there for two years. There is this perception that I divide my life between living in the north west and Newcastle.

"Well, I'm up there Monday through until Saturday. If we get a Sunday off, I'll sometimes fly out after the game and spend the day with my parents and family.

"Then I'll fly back up on Monday and spend the rest of the week there.

"Even my team-mates say 'Are you up here today?' and I say 'Yes, like I am every day'.

"Since I've been at Newcastle, people have been thinking I'll leave. A lot think there's an agenda but there's not.

"There was a release clause in my contract that no one was supposed to be privy to, but if people go and mention that I can't help it."