Owen moves to Real
Michael Owen has completed his move from Liverpool to Real Madrid after passing a medical.
Owen, 24, is to sign a four-year deal with Real in a move which is expected to net Liverpool £8m plus midfielder Antonio Nunez.
"I was very happy with Michael and I wanted him to stay. The problem was he only had a year left on his contract," said Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.
Owen is to be officially unveiled at the Bernabeau on Saturday.
It is thought he will return to England over the weekend to join up with the national team squad as they congregate to prepare for the friendly against Ukraine on Wednesday.
Benitez, who took over at Anfield during the summer, says he will use the money generated from the Owen transfer to continue his rebuilding at the club.
He added: "Real Madrid started talking with his agent and in the end it was an impossible situation to control.
"The money from his sale will be used to balance the team.