PLAYER PROFILE

Robbie Keane

Position: Forward

Height: 5'9

Weight: 11st 7lbs

Date of Birth: 1980-07-08 Dublin, Republic Of Ireland

Robbie Keane

Tottenham fans everywhere were hoping that Robbie Keane would be the answer to their prayers. He completed his 11th hour transfer to the London club after weeks of speculation surrounding his future at Elland Road.

In the end, the 24-year-old player decided he would be better off in London, and, a £7million fee was agreed with Leeds shortly before the transfer window closed on August 31st. The move also ended Glenn Hoddle's relentless search for a new striker, and after being linked with a number of players - including Hernan Crespo and Fernando Morientes, Hoddle finally settled on Keane.

Leeds United once turned down the chance to sign Keane in his (even) younger playing days, but Yorkshire still emerged as the likely destination for the Irish striker as speculation mounted that he was to end his brief spell in Italy with a return to the Premiership.

After being linked with seemingly every big-spending club in England, Leeds became the envy of the country by securing Keane's signature on a loan deal until the end of the 2000/01 season, with the deal becoming permanent subject to a £12 million fee.

Robbie Keane first rose to prominence with Wolverhampton Wanderers, but only after snubbing boyhood heroes Liverpool because he felt he had a better chance of making a name for himself in the First Division. His instincts proved correct and he was soon banging in goals for the Midlands club, prompting a Premiership bidding war in the summer of 1999. Aston Villa balked at the £6 million asking price - still a British record for a teenager - whilst Alex Ferguson famously declared he'd pay no more than 500,000 and play him in the reserves.

In the end, it came down to two clubs - Middlesbrough and Coventry - and Keane chose the Sky Blues, where he instantly silenced his critics by scoring nine Premiership goals before January. But it wasn't just his knack for goals that set him apart, Keane also drew plaudits for his tireless efforts for the team and unselfish style of play. After his first season with Coventry it was clear that his reputation had spread far and wide, when Milan giants Inter made a £13 million swoop for the striker.

It was an offer too good to turn down and Keane, eager to follow in the footsteps of Liam Brady (who made a name for himself in Italy) was soon calling the likes of Ronaldo, Christian Vieri and Clarence Seedorf his teammates. But after an impressive start in the San Siro when he instantly won over the Inter fans, Marcello Lippi - the coach that signed him - was sacked and Marco Tardelli ushered in to replace him. The former Italian World Cup hero rarely selected Keane, so it was with some reluctance he decided to move on.

His move to Leeds became permanent in the summer of 2001 with Inter taking a £1million loss on the striker. It seems the club's Irish contingent (the manager O'Leary, McPhail, Harte and Kelly) was one of the factors in Keane's decision, and he proved in his short spell with the club that he is tailor made for Leeds United. Keane turned on the style and the goals in the first half of 2001 but in his second season, he struggled to reproduce this, finding himself left on the sidelines after the arrival of Robbie Fowler.

Despite this, he made a big impact during the World Cup for Ireland, scoring late goals against Germany and Spain, and also finding the net against Saudi Arabia. He is a fantastic natural finisher and after Hoddle decided to sign the youngster he has more than repaid his new manager scoring some wonderful goals for Spurs in his first season at White Hart Lane.

Unfortunately for everyone at the club Robbie picked up a nasty injury in the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle at St. James’ park and was out for about 6 weeks. Despite that Robbie still scored 13 goals in 29 games and has looked better and better with each game.

A spectacular hat trick against Everton will surely be Keano’s highest point of the 2002/03 campaign.

By the end of the 2003/04 season he was established as a firm favourite with the crowds, for his cheeky style and for scoring the equaliser in the local derby with Arsenal! He was one of Spurs' most consistent performers during the season and bagged 16 goals.

Robbie finally seems to have found his home at White Hart Lane. He saw off the likes of Bobby Zamora and Helder Postiga but formed good partnerships with Fredi Kanoute and Jermain Defoe, partnerships which could have a devastating affect on Premiership defences.

After surpassing 50 international caps in the summer of 2004, he embarked upon the 2004/05 season looking forward to another successful campaign.

And predictably for this talented forward, it came. He played 45 games for Tottenham Hotspur and scored 17 goals. He also continued to play for the Republic of Ireland, collecting 7 more caps and scoring 5 times as his country aimed to qualify from a tough group for the 2006 World Cup.

There was, however, minor controversey in April 2005. During a 1-1 draw with Birmingham, he was left on the subsititutes bench. When others were played ahead of him, he reacted badly, storming down the tunnel, angry at boss Martin Jol. He was fined £10,000 by the club and forced to train with the reserves.

Despite talk that his Tottenham Hotspur future was in doubt, Keane stayed at Spurs and went on to have a successful 2005/06 season, during which he not only scored sixteen goals, but was also named the captain of the Republic of Ireland.

Keane was once more a vital part of Spurs' success in 2006/07 as he scored 22 goals in 31 starts. He will hope for more of the same in 07/08.