Sacchi says Real sorry to see Owen go

Real Madrid director of football Arrigo Sacchi said yesterday that he was sorry to see England striker Michael Owen leave the club after just 12 months to join Newcastle.

"We are upset because we have lost a great professional, a top-class player and someone who was always very positive," the Italian told Real Madrid's website.

"Real Madrid were happy with him and we would like to thank him for everything he has done here and wish him the very best in the future.

"He asked us if he could leave because it is a World Cup year and he wasn't going to play here regularly. We didn't want to loan him out and it was only when a big offer was made that we accepted the idea of selling him.

"We've certainly lost something with his departure, but you can't keep a player who wants to leave and especially one has got such clear reasons. He is one of the best strikers in the world and here we have Robinho, Guti, Raul and Ronaldo and he wasn't going to play much."

Real Madrid defender Ivan Helguera said he was also disappointed to see Owen leave.

"He was a great team-mate, a very good person and an excellent player," the centre-back told a news conference at Real Madrid's training ground in Las Rozas.

"It's a shame that he's gone because we thought a lot of him. He did a lot for Real despite the fact that he was given few minutes on the pitch and last season he made a big difference to the team."

It was not until the latter stages of the season that he was rewarded with a regular place in the starting line-up.

The former European Footballer of the Year ended the season with 16 goals in all competitions and was the club's second highest scorer behind Ronaldo.