Birthdate : 20 Jan 1981

Birthplace : Calgary, Canada

Position : Midfielder

Joined United : 01 Jul 2007

United Debut : 19 Aug 2007 v Man. City (A)

International : England

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In his own words, it was “possibly the longest-running transfer saga” in football. But after a several months of prolonged pursuit, United finally signed Owen Hargreaves from Bayern Munich in May 2007.

The Canadian-born, England international midfielder’s stock has risen dramatically in the past year. During the World Cup, one newspaper reported that he was “a shock £7million target” for Sir Alex. His eventual fee was closer to £17million when the transfer finally went through, and Hargreaves had become one of European football’s most highly-thought of defensive midfielders.

Born and raised in Calgary, Canada, where his parents moved from England in the early eighties, Owen left for Germany aged 16 to join Bayern Munich.

After earning his stripes in their youth ranks, a 19-year-old Hargreaves made the step up to first-team football in August 2000 in what was a highly successful season as Bayern claimed the Bundesliga title and Champions League crown. In the semi final against Real Madrid Hargreaves showed he could hold his own against Madrid's "galacticos", and remains one of only two English players to win the European Cup with a non-English club - the other being Steve McManaman.

The following season saw Hargreaves establish himself as a regular and key member of Bayern's first-team and witnessed his breakthrough at international level. Hargreaves was eligible for any one of the home nations, as well as Canada, and, had he delayed his decision, Germany under residency rules. He plumped for England, and after several impressive Under-21 displays, he was called into the senior squad in 2001.

Initially a squad player, it took until the 2006 World Cup in Germany for Hargreaves to truly be seen as a key man. In fact, he was booed in their opening match of the tournament, but went on to be named Man of the Match in the quarter final defeat to Portugal and was voted England Player of the Year in January 2007.

Not only will Hargreaves add another dimension to United’s midfield with his determined, energetic and enthusiastic style, the 26-year-old also has vast experience. A Champions League winner in 2001 and four-time Bundesliga champion with Bayern, Hargreaves has also experienced two World Cups and a European Championships with England. Partnering Paul Scholes or Michael Carrick – or indeed both – gives a well-balanced feel to United’s engine room.

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