Owen wed his long-term girlfriend at a private ceremony held in a hotel close to their home in north Wales, a source close to the player said.

The wedding took place amid new reports the England international might return to the Premiership.

The former Liverpool player and his fiancee had initially planned to marry at their palatial home -- Lower Soughton Hall.

They changed their plans after being informed that if a licence is granted for a marriage ceremony the venue must be made available for other weddings for three years.

It was the same rule that forced the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall to change their wedding venue from Windsor Castle.

Owen, 25, became an international household name in the 1998 World Cup.

The couple met while pupils at Hawarden High School.

They moved into their mansion near the tiny village of Northop in 2001 and have a two-year-old daughter named Gemma Rose.