Premier League yet to ratify Owen's move to Stoke City

STOKE WERE sweating on Premier League approval on their last-gasp bid to sign Michael Owen last night after the striker finally agreed to join them. It is understood the Potters were not set to learn until today whether the move would be ratified by the Premier League board.

It was unclear last night whether Stoke had provided the relevant documents for the signature of free agent Owen before or after the 4pm deadline for clubs to have submitted their 25-man squad lists.

The uncertainty meant the Premier League were only able to release details of those lists for 19 of their 20 clubs, with the Potters’ still pending. It is understood Stoke would otherwise be prevented from filling Owen’s spot with another player if his move was rejected.

Clubs are able to sign free agents outside the transfer window but are only able to field them in the Premier League if they have previously registered fewer than 25 players.

The Premier League said in a statement: “The Premier League board is currently considering an application from Stoke City to register a player and, subsequently, their squad list will be confirmed at a later date.”

Stoke moved for Owen after he was released by Manchester United but the the 32-year-old appeared reluctant to entertain their advances amid suggestions he was waiting for a bigger club to pounce.

And although he was also linked with Liverpool and Sunderland, he insisted last night he was “always keen to join” Tony Pulis’s side.

After signing a one-year contract, he posted on Twitter: “Delighted to have signed for Stoke subject to Premier League approval. We have been in talks for a while and it was a club I was always keen to join.

“I’m particularly excited at the prospect of working under Tony Pulis. He has assembled a great squad that I look forward to joining.

“I’m now looking forward to contributing as much as possible to the club and can’t wait to play in front of a great set of supporters.”