The Los Angeles Galaxy have announced they have come to terms with Irish International Robbie Keane on the last day of the transfer window in the English Premier League. This marks the first time in MLS history has payed a transfer fee to bring over a player on contract with an EPL team. The striker has scored more then 250 goals in his time at the EPL. 91 of those goals were with Tottenham Hotspur, who approved the transfer over the weekend.
"I am delighted, honored and very excited to be joining the LA Galaxy," Keane said. "I have always wanted to come and play in MLS so it’s the perfect combination for me and a dream come true. My family and I have already been made to feel very welcome in telephone calls from Tim Leiweke and Bruce Arena. Also when David Beckham came and trained at Spurs recently he couldn't speak highly enough about the Galaxy, their fans and the league in general, so I can’t wait to get over and get started."
This is good news for the LA Galaxy, for whom striker has been a problem position since Edson Buddle has allowed to leave for Germany. Juan Pablo Angel was a big splash in the offseason after her was surprisingly let go by Red Bull New York, and Adam Cristman showed potential. However Angel has scored a whopping three goals in his Galaxy career, and Cristman has been injured for much of the season. Things got so bad that Juan Pablo Angel had to be benched in several matches, and Landon Donovan has had to play up top.
"Robbie Keane will be a great addition to our club. I have followed his career and have always respected his ability as a competitor and a goalscorer," Galaxy General Manager and Head Coach Bruce Arena said. "I believe that he brings qualities in and around the penalty area that we have been lacking. Hopefully, he will be another piece of the puzzle in our quest for the Supporters’ Shield and an MLS Cup championship as well as to advance to the next round of the CONCACAF Champions League."
What Keane is, truthfully, is an unknown. His first run at Spurs was quite successful, but his second stint was full of loans to try and recoup some of the 30 million pounds payed to bring him back from Liverpool. Keane was sold on MLS while David Beckham trained with Spurs in the offseason, but how exactly he'll fit in where they call it soccer is yet to be seen. Mostly though, it's an encouraging sign to see the Galaxy going full steam ahead for this season.