Stoke City striker Peter Crouch had admitted that he feared that the Potters would miss out on signing Michael Owen this summer.
Liverpool were reportedly interested in re-signing the 32-year-old following manager Brendan Rodgers's complaint of a shortage of strikers in his squad.
However, Stoke eventually recruited Owen on a one-year contract on a free transfer last week just in time to register him in their 25-man Premier League squad.
"It was a concern and I was a bit surprised Brendan Rodgers didn't try to take him," Crouch is quoted as saying by The Sun.
"He has said before he was short of strikers and someone like Michael Owen is a great signing for anyone."
Crouch added that he is pleased with the summer acquisitions Stoke made.
"[Owen] definitely raises the global awareness of Stoke City and we've brought in other fantastic players like Charlie Adam, Steven N'Zonzi and Michael Kightly," he continued.
"Three or four years ago, these players would not have dreamed of coming to Stoke. But guys of the calibre of Michael Owen want to come here now.
"I think they can see the club is hoping really to push on and make an impact on the Premier League."
Stoke host Manchester City at the Britannia Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday.
Subhankar Mondal
