Robbie Keane

Robbie Keane
Robbiekeane ie.JPG
Personal information
Full name Robert David Keane
Date of birth 8 July 1980 (1980-07-08) (age 29)
Place of birth    Dublin, Ireland
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[1]
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current club Liverpool F.C.
Number 7
Youth clubs

1995–1997
Crumlin United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1997–1999
1999–2000
2000–2001
2001
2001–2002
2002–2008
2008–
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Coventry City
Internazionale
Leeds United (loan)
Leeds United
Tottenham Hotspur
Liverpool
073 (24)
031 (12)
006 0(0)
018 0(9)
028 0(4)
197 (80)
015 0(2)   
National team2
1998– Republic of Ireland 085 (35)

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 11:40, 2 December 2008 (UTC).
2 National team caps and goals correct
as of 21:40, 15 October 2008 (GMT+1).
* Appearances (Goals)

Robert David "Robbie" Keane (born 8 July 1980 in Tallaght, Dublin) is an Irish footballer, currently playing for Liverpool F.C.. He is also the current captain and record goalscorer for Republic of Ireland.

He began his professional career at Wolverhampton Wanderers, scoring twice in his first team debut aged 17. The following season he was the club's leading goalscorer and scored his first international goal with Republic of Ireland. He changed club frequently between 1999 and 2002, breaking transfer fee records, but his brief spells at Coventry City, Inter and Leeds United were unexceptional.

He finally settled at Tottenham Hotspur, gaining repute as a consistent goalscorer and often finishing the season as the team's top scorer. Keane's pedigree was reinforced when he became Ireland's record goalscorer in 2004 and Steve Staunton appointed him national team captain in 2006. The 2007-08 season was the most fruitful of his career as he set a career record of 23 goals in a season, scored a landmark 100th competitive goal for Tottenham and won his first senior honour, the Football League Cup.

Keane joined Liverpool for £20.3 million in 2008, becoming part of the team he had supported as a child.

Contents

Club career

Early career

Keane started his football career with South Dublin schoolboy side Crumlin United where his talent was recognised at an early age.[2] Keane received offers from both Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers but decided to go to the First Division side, judging that it would be harder to break into the first team at Liverpool.[3] The fifteen year old moved to Wolves, joining their youth team.[4]

Keane progressed through their youth ranks and made his professional debut aged 17 on 9 August 1997, scoring twice against Norwich City. The following season he excelled at the club, earning plaudits from both the press and Wolves manager Colin Lee.[5] He went on to be the club's leading scorer, hitting the back of the net 16 times in the 1998-99 season.[3] Keane's performances and goalscoring record with both Wolves and his national team attracted much interest from larger clubs and a move for the young striker seemed imminent given Wolves' finances.[6][7] However, with three years left on his contract, Wolves sought a high price for their Irish starlet and managing director John Richards stated his reluctance to sell Keane unless their asking price was met.[8]

Coventry City

Just weeks into the 1999-2000 season, he was sold to Premier League club Coventry City for £6m, a then-British record for a teenager. After a successful season at Coventry, where he scored 12 goals in 34 games, he had become one of the hottest properties in English football, and was being courted by many of the biggest clubs in football.

Inter Milan Marcello Lippi of Inter succeeded in obtaining Keane's signature, paying £13 million for the player.[9] However, his dream move to Italy soured when Lippi was sacked soon after Keane arrived. Lippi's successor, Marco Tardelli, deemed Keane to be surplus to requirements. Keane's ambition refused to let him stagnate in Italy and in December 2000 he was loaned out to Leeds United.

Leeds United

His Leeds career got off to an impressive start, scoring 9 goals in 14 starts before the Leeds manager, David O'Leary, made his loan deal permanent in May 2001 at a cost of £12 million. The following season was not so bright, and he found himself dropping down the pecking order. His form suffered and he only managed 10 goals in 36 appearances. Meanwhile, Leeds' financial troubles forced the club to sell many of its players and Keane joined the exodus when he was sold to Tottenham Hotspur just before the 2002-03 transfer deadline for a fee of £7 million.[10]

Tottenham Hotspur

Robbie Keane, about to take a penalty at White Hart Lane

On signing him for Tottenham, manager Glenn Hoddle said that Keane was ideally suited to Tottenham and could make White Hart Lane his "spiritual home" for years to come. Keane had an impressive debut at Spurs, winning a penalty during a 3–2 win over West Ham. Keane's first goal for Tottenham came in a 2–1 win against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. Although Spurs finished in a disappointing tenth place, Keane was their success story of the season, finishing as Tottenham's top scorer with 13 goals, including a spectacular hat-trick in a win over Everton at White Hart Lane.

In the 2003-04, Spurs battled with relegation, but Keane's goals played a major part in helping secure Tottenham's Premiership status. A hat-trick against Wolves and a last minute penalty to equalise in the North London derby against Arsenal were highlights as Keane once again ended the season as Tottenham's top scorer with 16 goals.

His third season, 2004-05, was more frustrating. Despite finishing with his highest return of goals in a season for Tottenham, 17, he played second-fiddle to the likes of Jermain Defoe, Fredi Kanoute and Mido for much of the season. The frustration culminated in Keane storming from the dugout towards the end of a game against Birmingham City in April 2005 after all the substitutes had been used, meaning he would not get a chance to appear. He was fined £10,000 and forced to train with the reserves after the outburst and his future at the club was thrown into doubt.[11][12]

He knuckled down after this incident but the 2005-06 season started as the previous one had ended, with Defoe being preferred to partner Mido in Tottenham's strikeforce. However, Defoe's strike-rate continued to disappoint and Keane's persistence paid off in November when manager Martin Jol eventually gave Keane a chance to replace Defoe and stake his claim.

He grabbed the chance with both hands, started playing some of the best football of his career and by March had overtaken Mido as the top goalscorer at the club. Keane would go on to finish the season with 16 league goals - making him the Premier League's joint fourth top goalscorer that season. He had also been made the vice-captain, taking the captaincy on those occasions when Ledley King was not available.[12]

Hoddle once said of Keane's personality, "He's such a bubbly lad that anyone who meets him loves him."[13] Edgar Davids and Keane were involved in a training ground fight in December 2005, but the pair subsequently made up publicly and were seen encouraging each other on the pitch.[14]

In February 2006, Inter's owner and president, Massimo Moratti, admitted his regret at letting Keane go after being impressed by his performances at Tottenham.[15] Keane extended his commitment to Tottenham, signing a new four year contract in March 2006.[16] Keane was named as one of ten Spurs squad members to be struck down by norovirus on 6 May 2006. However, he still managed to play in their final game of the season against West Ham United.[17]

Keane had a slow start to the 2006-07 season which was further set back by a knee ligament injury that Keane suffered against Middlesbrough on 5 December 2006. His coming back from injury marked the beginning of a return to form and a dynamic partnership with Dimitar Berbatov. Keane and Berbatov were jointly awarded the FA Premier League's Player of the Month Award for April 2007. Keane finished the season with a total of 22 goals in all competitions - the highest ever season tally of his career - scoring 15 goals in his last 15 appearances of the season.

Keane started in his 200th appearance for Tottenham in the final game of the 2006-07 Season against Manchester City scoring the first goal in a 2–1 victory that saw Tottenham secure fifth place in the league.

He signed a new five year contract with Tottenham on 28 May 2007.[18] On 26 December 2007 he became the 13th player in the history of the league to score 100 Premiership goals.[19] 2007 proved to be a remarkable year for the striker with a total of 31 goals and 13 assists from just 40 starts. His tally of 19 league goals in the calendar year was the highest of any player in the Premier League throughout 2007.[20]

He scored his 100th competitive goal for Tottenham in the 2–0 win against Sunderland on 19 January 2008. He is the 15th Tottenham player to achieve this feat. On 24 February 2008 he won his first senior honour as a player as his Tottenham side won the first League Cup Final to be played at the new Wembley Stadium, beating Chelsea 2–1 after extra time.[21] On 12 April 2008 Keane made his 250th appearance for Spurs in the 1–1 draw with Middlesbrough. Keane finished the 2007-08 season equal top scorer for Spurs with Berbatov, with 23 goals in all competitions. His 15 Premiership goals making him the first Spurs player to score double figures in the Premier League in 6 consecutive seasons.[22] Keane in his Tottenham career won the player of year three times (2003-04, 2005-06 and 2007-08); the first player to do so.[3]

His consistency and strike-rate attracted the attention of Premier League rivals Liverpool. Despite initial resistance to the sale and accusations of misconduct,[23][24] Tottenham agreed to a £20.3 million deal for the player,[25] allowing Keane to join the team he supported as a child, although he had pledged that he would remain at Tottenham just one month earlier.[26][27]

Liverpool

Liverpool publicly announced their interest in Keane on 1 July 2008.[28] Amid accusations that Liverpool had unsettled the player, Tottenham Hotspur filed a complaint to the Premier League regarding the club's conduct.[24] However, on 28 July 2008, Tottenham confirmed the sale of Keane for £19 million (plus a potential £1.3 million in performance based compensation).[29] Keane agreed terms with Liverpool shortly afterwards, signing a four year contract with the Merseyside club.[30] Following the transfer, Tottenham withdrew their official complaint against Liverpool after the club made a donation to the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation and apologised for their behaviour prior to the deal.[31] Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy publicly stated his dissatisfaction, saying he had been forced into transferring the player due to Liverpool's interference.[25]

In his first interview as a Liverpool player, Keane expressed no regret over the move and revealed he would wear the number 7 shirt; a number previously worn by Liverpool heavyweights Kenny Dalglish and Kevin Keegan.[32][33] Keane scored his first goal for Liverpool on 1 October 2008 in a Champions League win against PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.[34] Premier League goals were less forthcoming but he scored twice for Liverpool against West Bromwich Albion on 8 November.[35] The double after a goalless spell came as a relief to the striker but he reflected upon the situation with maturity: "The goals have been a long time coming but deep down I knew they would. I might have worried about it when I was younger but not now."[36]

International career

Robbie Keane has already achieved much in the international arena. He was part of the "Golden Generation" of Republic of Ireland youth football of the late 1990s. Under the guidance of Brian Kerr, the unfancied Republic won the UEFA U-16 and U-18 European championships in 1998, and Robbie was part of the victorious U-18 side.[37] In 1999, he played at the World Youth Cup in Nigeria, where the Republic reached the last 16 before going out on penalties to the hosts.

He made his first senior appearance for the Republic of Ireland against the Czech Republic in Olomouc in March 1998, scoring his first senior goal against Malta in October that year. He won his 70th cap in the Republic's 5–0 defeat of San Marino, scoring a hat-trick along the way.[38]

He was part of the 2002 World Cup campaign in South Korea and Japan, scoring three goals in the Republic of Ireland's four games. Keane scored an injury-time equaliser against Germany in the 2002 World Cup; the only goal to be scored against Germany in the competition until the final. He also scored a last-minute equaliser against Spain from a penalty kick.

Although the Republic of Ireland failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, Keane scored four goals in the Republic's eight matches and remains their most prolific goalscorer.

Following Steve Staunton's appointment as the manager of the Republic of Ireland, Keane was appointed captain.[39] In their first game under Staunton, Keane scored the second goal in the 3–0 victory against Sweden at Lansdowne Road, and celebrated the final match at the Lansdowne Road stadium, against San Marino, with a hat trick.[38] Giovanni Trapattoni, who took over from Staunton, confirmed his confidence in Keane's leadership by handing him the captain's armband ahead of the Republic of Ireland's match against Serbia on 24 May 2008 which ended in a 1–1 draw.[40] On 29 May 2008 Robbie Keane scored his 33rd international goal in their 1–0 victory over Colombia at Craven Cottage in London, which he subsequently dedicated to his friend Georgios Samaras. Scored his 35th international goal for his country in Ireland's 1–0 over Cyprus at Croke Park on 15 October 2008.

Personal life

On 7 June 2008 he married his long time girlfriend, former Miss Ireland contestant Claudine Palmer, in Ballybrack, South Dublin[41]

Honours

Coventry City

Internazionale Milano

Tottenham Hotspur

Republic of Ireland

Career stats

All-Time Club Performance
Club Season Flag of England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Wolves

(First Division)

1997-98 38 11 3 0 4 0 45 11
1998-99 33 11 2 2 4 3 39 16
1999-00 2 2 1 0 3 2
Total 73 24 5 2 9 3 87 29
Flag of England Premier League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
Coventry City

(Premier League)

1999–2000 31 12 3 0 34 12
Total 31 12 3 0 34 12
Flag of Italy Serie A Coppa Italia - Europe Total
Internazionale
(Serie A)
2000–01 6 0 3 1 4 1 13 2
Total 6 0 3 1 4 1 13 2
Flag of England Premier League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
Leeds United

(Premier League)

2000–01 18 9 2 0 20 9
2001–02 25 3 2 3 6 3 33 9
2002–03 3 1 3 1
Total 46 13 2 0 2 3 6 3 56 19
Tottenham Hotspur

(Premier League)

2002–03 29 13 1 0 2 0 32 13
2003–04 34 14 3 1 4 1 41 16
2004–05 35 11 6 3 4 3 45 17
2005–06 36 16 1 0 1 0 38 16
2006–07 27 11 5 5 3 1 9 5 44 22
2007–08 36 15 3 2 5 2 10 4 54 23
Total 197 80 19 11 19 7 19 9 254 107
Liverpool

(Premier League)

2008–09 12 2 1 0 6 2 19 4
Total 12 2 1 0 6 4 19 4
Career Totals 365 131 32 14 31 13 35 15 463 173
Correct as of 2008-11-14

International goals

Scores and results list Ireland's goal tally first.
Date Venue Opponent Result Competition Scored(Tally)
1998-10-14 Lansdowne Road, Dublin Flag of Malta.svg Malta 5-0 UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying 2 (2)
1999-09-01 Lansdowne Road, Dublin Flag of SFR Yugoslavia.svg Yugoslavia 2-1 UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying 1 (3)
1999-09-08 Ta' Qali Stadium, Mdina Flag of Malta.svg Malta 3-2 UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying 1 (4)
1999-11-13 Lansdowne Road, Dublin Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey 1-1 UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying 1 (5)
2001-11-10 Lansdowne Road, Dublin Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czech Republic 2-0 Friendly match 1 (6)
2000-09-02 Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands 2-2 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification 1 (7)
2001-11-10 Lansdowne Road, Dublin Flag of Iran.svg Iran 2-0 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification 1 (8)
2002-02-13 Lansdowne Road, Dublin Flag of Russia.svg Russia 2-0 Friendly match 1 (9)
2002-03-27 Lansdowne Road, Dublin Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark 3-0 Friendly match 1 (10)
2002-06-05 Kashima Stadium, Kashima, Ibaraki Flag of Germany.svg Germany 1-1 2002 FIFA World Cup 1 (11)
2002-06-11 International Stadium of Yokohama, Yokohama Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Saudi Arabia 3-0 2002 FIFA World Cup 1 (12)
2002-06-16 Suwon Big Bird Stadium, Suwon Flag of Spain.svg Spain 1-1 2002 FIFA World Cup 1 (13)
2002-08-21 Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki Flag of Finland.svg Finland 3-0 Friendly match 1 (14)
2003-06-07 Lansdowne Road, Dublin Flag of Albania.svg Albania 2-1 UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying 1 (15)
2003-06-11 Lansdowne Road, Dublin Flag of Georgia.svg Georgia 2-0 UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying 1 (16)
2003-11-18 Lansdowne Road, Dublin Flag of Canada.svg Canada 3-0 Friendly match 2 (18)
2004-03-31 Lansdowne Road, Dublin Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czech Republic 2-1 Friendly match 1 (19)
2004-06-05 Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands 1-0 Friendly match 1 (20)
2004-09-04 Lansdowne Road, Dublin Flag of Cyprus.svg Cyprus 3-0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 1 (21)
2004-10-13 Lansdowne Road, Dublin Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg Faroe Islands 2-0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 2 (23)
2004-11-16 Lansdowne Road, Dublin Flag of Croatia.svg Croatia 1-0 Friendly match 1 (24)
2005-06-04 Lansdowne Road, Dublin Flag of Israel.svg Israel 2-2 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 1 (25)
2006-03-01 Lansdowne Road, Dublin Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden 3-0 Friendly match 1 (26)
2006-11-15 Lansdowne Road, Dublin Flag of San Marino.svg San Marino 5-0 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying 3 (29)
2007-08-22 NRGi Park, Aarhus Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark 4-0 Friendly match 2 (31)
2007-11-17 Millennium Stadium,Cardiff Flag of Wales 2.svg Wales 2-2 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying 1 (32)
2008-05-29 Craven Cottage, London Flag of Colombia.svg Colombia 1-0 Friendly match 1 (33)
2008-08-20 Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo Flag of Norway.svg Norway 1-1 Friendly match 1 (34)
2008-10-15 Croke Park, Dublin Flag of Cyprus.svg Cyprus 1-0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 1 (35)

References

  1. "Keane official profile".
  2. Thomas, Phil (2008-07-30). "Keane: Move was a dream". The Sun. Retrieved on 2008-07-31.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Silver, Dan (2008-07-28). "10 Things you need to know about Robbie Keane". The Daily Mirror. Retrieved on 2008-07-31.
  4. Hassall, Paul (2008-07-29). "Ten things you did not know about Robbie Keane". Liverpool F.C.. Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  5. White, Peter (1999-01-17). "Football: Lee draws small comforts". The Sunday Mirror. Retrieved on 2008-07-31.
  6. George, Conor (1999-06-17). "Rumours that Keane soon to join Premiership club". The Irish Examiner. Retrieved on 2008-07-31.
  7. "Republic of Ireland under Mick McCarthy". The Irish Times. Retrieved on 2008-07-31.
  8. White, Peter (1999-01-24). "Football: Wolves will sell Robbie". The Sunday Mirror. Retrieved on 2008-07-31.
  9. "Keane in £13m Inter Switch". BBC Sport (2000-07-30). Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  10. "Transfers - August 2002". BBC Sport (2002-09-02). Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  11. "Arnesen issues warning to Keane" (2005-04-04). Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  12. 12.0 12.1 "Robbie Keane factfile". The Independent (2008-07-29). Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  13. "How Robbie came of age". The Irish Independent (2006-10-14). Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  14. "Spurs take no action in Keane and Davids row". Radio Telefís Éireann (2005-12-05). Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  15. Marshall, Adam. "Inter's Robbie regret". Sky Sports. Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  16. "Keane signs new contract at Spurs", BBC Sport (2006-03-03). Retrieved on 2008-07-30. 
  17. "Doubt over Spurs 'food poisoning'". BBC Sport (2006-05-11). Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  18. "Keane Commitment". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. (2007-05-28). Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  19. "Robbie joins 100 club". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. (2007-12-26). Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  20. "Robbie's No 1 in '07". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. (2007-12-30). Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  21. Stevenson, Jonathon (2008-02-24). "Tottenham 2-1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  22. Kelly, David (2008-05-24). "Trapattoni-Keane marriage a match made in heaven". The Irish Independent. Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  23. Hunter, Andy (2008-07-02). "Liverpool's Keane bid encounters difficulties". The Guardian. Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  24. 24.0 24.1 "Tottenham submit Berbatov Dossier". BBC Sport (2008-07-21). Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  25. 25.0 25.1 Hunter, Andy (2008-07-29). "Keane fulfils his Liverpool dream". The Guardian. Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  26. Ducker, James (2008-07-29). "Robbie Keane joins Liverpool in £20m deal". The Times. Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  27. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1218641.ece
  28. McNulty, Phil (2008-07-01). "Liverpool face battle for Keane". BBC Sport. Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  29. "Keane to Liverpool". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. (2008-07-28). Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  30. Rice, Jimmy (2008-07-29). "Keane signs four-year Anfield deal". Liverpool FC. Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  31. "Liverpool complete Keane transfer". BBC Sport (2008-07-28). Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  32. "Robbie Keane takes Kenny Dalglish's famous No 7 shirt at Liverpool". The Times (2008-07-29). Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  33. Rice, Jimmy (2008-07-29). "Robbie Keane: The first interview". Liverpool FC. Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  34. Bevan, Chris (2008-10-01). "Liverpool 3-1 PSV". BBC Sport. Retrieved on 2008-11-03.
  35. Hughes, Ian (2008-11-08). "Liverpool 3-0 West Brom". BBC Sport. Retrieved on 2008-11-09.
  36. Bernstein, Joe (2008-11-08). "Liverpool 3 West Brom 0: Keane strikes at the double to return Benitez's men to top spot". Daily Mail. Retrieved on 2008-11-10.
  37. "The Irish U-18 European Champions of 1998". That's Ireland (2008-02-28). Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  38. 38.0 38.1 Jackson, Lyle (2006-11-15). "Rep of Ireland 5-0 San Marino". BBC Sport. Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  39. "Ireland Seniors - UEFA Qualifying 2006/2008". Football Association of Ireland (2008-01-02). Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  40. "Rep of Ireland 1-1 Serbia". BBC Sport (2008-05-24). Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
  41. Smith, David (2008-06-08). "All-star wedding for captain Keane". The Observer. Retrieved on 2008-07-30.

External links

Persondata
NAME Keane, Robbie
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Robert David Keane
SHORT DESCRIPTION Irish footballer
DATE OF BIRTH 8 July 1980
PLACE OF BIRTH Tallaght, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH