MICHAEL Owen has welcomed the launch of a new IPA beer in China and Hong Kong.

The beer features an image of Michael Owen on the bottle along with the slogan "Be the Best!"

The ex-England international played for Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid during his career, all of which have huge support in Asia.

Michael tweeted: "Delighted to see that Michael Owen IPA beer is now for sale in China and Hong Kong.

"Join us in tasting our favourite IPA beer! Happy days."

Chester-born Michael, who burst on to the football scene as a teenager in the 1990s, now dedicates his energy and passion to horses at the state-of-the-art Manor House Stables in Hampton, Malpas, as well as working as a football pundit.

The former Hawarden High School pupil was Liverpool's top goal scorer from 1997–2004, scoring 118 goals in 216 appearances for the Reds.

He moved to Real Madrid for a transfer fee of £8 million in mid-2004 before returning to England the following season where he played for Newcastle and, controversially for a former Liverpool player, Manchester United.

While the beer is being launched in China, there is also interest in the ale closer to home.

Streatham Rovers Football Club tweeted: "Would be genuinely interested in getting some of this stocked in our clubhouse, Michael. Perfect drink for football fans. Plus it looks absolutely delicious."

While some football fans have given Michael some good-natured ribbing about the venture. There are almost 500 comments on his tweet.

Rhys Stephenson said: "I wonder if you take the top off the bottle if it will get an injury."

Damien Quill said: "I wonder if his career trajectory will match his beer trajectory? Breaking out with a red label IPA, on to a regal blonde, then a nice Newcastle brown, arriving then at a red ale, finally finishing off with a very British, agricultural Spitfire ale."

Man_about_Toon tweeted: "Promising on the shelf but completely flat when you open it? Guessing the bottle breaks when given the slightest knock?"

Another twitter user said: "It will probably spend most of its time on the shelf, like his career post Liverpool."

Other twitter users questioned the choice of photograph on the bottle, with some comparing it to I'm a Celebrity host Ant and others to fellow 90s footballer Dennis Wise.