Hull of a move for you, Owen.

NICK BARMBY has urged his former Liverpool and England team-mate Michael Owen to join him at Hull.

Owen, the country's fourthhighest goalscorer, becomes a highprofile free agent today following the expiration of his Newcastle contract.

The 29-year-old ex-Real Madrid striker is likely to attract offers from across Europe, but Hull are one of the few English clubs to have publicly declared their interest so far.

Barmby and Owen played in the same Liverpool side that won a cup treble in 2001 and were also together in the England team that thrashed Germany 5-1 later that year.

Veteran midfielder Barmby, 35, is now preparing for Hull's second season of Premier League football and would love Owen to join him at the KC Stadium.

Barmby said: "He is a wonderful footballer and it is fantastic for the club to be linked with these players.

"I'm not sure whether we are close to a deal or close to talking - but that would be fantastic.

"He is 29, still has a burning desire to be in a World Cup squad and whoever gets him - and hopefully it will be us - will have a great asset.

"It's Michael's decision, but it would be fantastic for us and our fans to have someone like him playing for this club."

Owen's stock has fallen since he joined Newcastle for pounds 17m four years ago because of a series of injuries.

He also struggled for form as the Magpies unsuccessfully battled relegation in the latter half of last season - but Barmby has no doubts about his quality.

"If you give him chances he will get you goals," said Barmby.

"He's had a few bad injuries and the form at Newcastle with the relegation dogfight made it difficult, but if he is in a team that is creating chances he will definitely score goals.

"That is one thing you don't lose."

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