Testing

A day without a perdurable is like a day without sunshine

Owen joins Manchester United

Michael Owen has been confirmed as a Manchester United player. The striker has signed a two-year deal to play at Old Trafford and no transfer was paid as the former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle forward was a free agent. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson happily confirmed the deal saying, "Michael is a world class forward with a proven goalscoring record at the highest level and that has never been in question. Coming to Manchester United with the expectations that we have is something that Michael will relish." He had just begun to talk to other Clubs when out of the blue Sir Alex phoned him on Wednesday afternoon, invited him to have breakfast with him next morning during which he told him that he wanted to sign Owen. He agreed without a moment's thought. The striker spent Friday morning at United's training complex, Carrington, before heading to a south Manchester hospital for more tests. Owen left the hospital just after five o'clock and was understood to be returning to United's Carrington training ground to complete the formalities of the move. The England international had been without a club following the expiry of his contract with Newcastle United and it appeared only Stoke City and Hull City were interested in offering him a contract. United have been searching for a new forward since the departure of Carlos Tevez at the end of his loan deal. They had been linked with the likes of Karim Benzema and David Villa, but now it seems Owen will be arriving to pep up their striking options. Owen hasnt been the same for years!

Ronaldo move to Madrid signed and sealed

Real Madrid and Manchester United have finalised an agreement for the £80m ($131.6m or €93.9m) transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo to the Spanish club. United confirmed earlier this month they had accepted a world-record bid from the Primera Division side. Real Madrid and Manchester United have signed a final agreement for the transfer of the rights of Cristiano Ronaldo from July 1. The player will be tied to Real Madrid for the next six seasons and will be presented on July 6 at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Portugal superstar came close to joining Madrid last summer before Sir Alex Ferguson convinced him to stay at Old Trafford. Perez, who was responsible for bringing the likes of Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Luis Figo to the Bernabeu in his first stint as president, has already taken Brazil star Kaka from AC Milan and Spain international Raul Albiol from Valencia.

Huntelaar to be linked with United

Klaas Jan Huntelaar is the latest big-name striker to be linked with a move to Manchester United. Given the number of big-money signings at Real Madrid this summer, it would be no surprise if Huntelaar found himself surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu Stadium. And, as any attempt to lure Karim Benzema to Old Trafford looks fraught with difficulty, it is not a shock either that it has been suggested a move for Huntelaar by Sir Alex Ferguson is on the cards. Although he is a key part of the Dutch side that became the first European team to qualify for the World Cup Finals earlier this month, Huntelaar has not appeared to settle in Spain since joining Real in January this year. The 25-year-old former Ajax star scored eight goals in 20 appearances for his new club. However, he was omitted from their Champions League squad in favour of Lassana Diarra and an approach from Ferguson may well pay off.The 25-year-old former Ajax star scored eight goals in 20 appearances for his new club. However, he was omitted from their Champions League squad in favour of Lassana Diarra and an approach from Ferguson may well pay off. Apart from Benzema, who would cost around £30m if he could be prized away from Lyon, Atletico Madrid's Argentina front-man Sergio Aguero appears to feature on United's radar, even though the team-mate of former Old Trafford striker Diego Forlan would cost at least £10m more. United have also been linked with Alex Pato, in the Italian media.

Ronaldo needs time to adapt to Spanish game

Cristiano Ronaldo says he will need time to adapt to the different style of the Spanish game, but is confident he can quickly match the Real Madrid fans' high expectations as he closes in on a world record £80m move to the Bernabeu. Having reportedly passed a medical over the weekend, the Portuguese star knows that even the FIFA World Player of the Year can struggle to adapt to new surroundings. Football in England is different, it is more physical. No matter how good you are it takes time to adapt to any type of football. I just hope I can get used to it as quickly as possible. Ronaldo is also aware of the weight of expectation that will come with his staggering transfer fee but he insists he is comfortable carrying the burden. Right now he is relaxing with his family to make sure he is fully rested mentally and physically for his arrival to Real Madrid. Ronaldo also expressed hope that the fans he was leaving behind in Manchester would understand and respect his decision to join Madrid.

France striker Cisse set to join Panathinaikos

France striker Djibril Cisse is set to join Panathinaikos after the Greek club reached an agreement with Marseille. Nothing is signed yet but Cisse is arriving in Athens tomorrow evening for the medical tests and to sign the contract. Cisse, 27, who is from the Ivory Coast, made his name at Auxerre in France before moving to Liverpool in 2004. After three years in the Premiership he joined Marseille, who loaned him to Sunderland where he scored 10 goals in 35 games last season. He has scored nine goals in 37 internationals. He might continue his scores in his new team "Panathinaikos."

Pato is Happy at MIlan

AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato insists he will remain at the San Siro as long as the club want him, despite reported interested from Chelsea and former coach Carlo Ancelotti. The 19-year-old, who is under contract at Milan until 2012, claims he will not be following Ancelotti to the Premier League club. Last season Pato played 36 Serie A games netting an impressive 15 goals and setting up a further five. If the Brazilian does decide against a move to Chelsea it would represent another transfer setback for the London club who have struggled to attract fresh talent this summer.