England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson praised Michael Owen's move to Real Madrid from Liverpool, saying the new challenge will benefit the striker.

The 24-year-old striker is set to be unveiled at the Bernabeu stadium on Saturday, having passed a medical after his 12 million euro ($14.71 million) move from the English Premier League club on Friday.

"I think it's very good for him," Eriksson told the Football Association website on Saturday.

"He's been at Liverpool all his life, so he might need a new challenge, and this is a challenge, a big one, so I think it's good for him."

Owen, who has won 60 caps and scored 26 goals, will join England team mate and captain David Beckham at Real, and Eriksson said the move to Spain will not affect the forward's involvement with the national squad.

Eriksson thought the presence of Beckham, who moved to Madrid for up to 35 million euros last year, would help Owen settle in.

"They have known each other very well for many years. I think the fact that Beckham has been there for one year will help Michael Owen settle in much better," he said.