ASTON VILLA HAVE confirmed the signing of Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane on a six-week loan deal.
Keane’s Premier League return was made official this morning after Villa tied up the loose ends of an agreement which will see the striker spend the MLS off-season in the midlands before rejoining LA Galaxy on 25 February.
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Keane, 31, has been training with Villa for the past few days and, subject to FIFA clearance, he could make his debut against Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan when Villa host Everton on Saturday.
Keane will be available for Villa’s games against Wolves, QPR, Newcastle, Manchester City and Wigan, as well as the FA Cup fourth round tie against Arsenal at the end of the month.
“I’m delighted to be back in the Premier League,” Keane told the club’s official website. ”This is only short-term, of course, but there has been a lot of speculation over the years linking my name to Villa and, finally, I’m here.
“Villa is a great club, a club with a massive tradition and standing in the game and Villa Park is one of the finest stadiums I’ve ever played in.”
Keane hasn’t played competitively since he starred in the Galaxy’s MLS Cup win last November, but he insists he’s ready to make an immediate impact.
If selected to play on Saturday, I will genuinely be looking forward to it and I’ll be excited to be involved again in Premier League action.
I’ve been training with the players here for the past few days and it’s been great but I’m not naive enough to think I’ll just walk straight into the team.
Villa’s record signing Darren Bent was the first to welcome Keane’s arrival and said that the Dubliner has looked “razor-sharp” in training over the last few days.
“It’s a top signing, a really clever move,” Bent said.
He’s a great player and he has been for many years. There is no doubt he will give absolutely everything during his time here.
Exactly, nice one Robbie at least he’s dedicated to the country keepin match fit, f*ck the begrudgers, their the very ones that will be screamin his name at the tv set during the summer, cop on ye goons VTID
As a villa fan I’m quite pleased with this signing. It will bring a new aspect to our attack, which to be honest needs a facelift. Bent is a proven PL goal scorer, but Gabby isn’t as good as he has been in years gone. Don’t get me started on Heskey…
I’m a Villa fan to Brian, Keane will be good for us and talks of us gettin Drogba aswel!! Unlikely though, Heskey had a surprise birthday party arranged for him yesterday but he missed it!! It actually was his birthday yesterday
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fair play to our captain. good to know he will be keeping sharp at the highest level. roll on Poland. fuck the haters
Never heard that one before. Classic…
Sher he dreamt of playing for them as a young fella!
Exactly, nice one Robbie at least he’s dedicated to the country keepin match fit, f*ck the begrudgers, their the very ones that will be screamin his name at the tv set during the summer, cop on ye goons VTID
I bet he always dreamed of playing for Aston Villa as a kid!
Yeah, yet another childhood dream fulfilled! ;)
Keane,dunne, should be interesting tie against the gunners and henry..
As a villa fan I’m quite pleased with this signing. It will bring a new aspect to our attack, which to be honest needs a facelift. Bent is a proven PL goal scorer, but Gabby isn’t as good as he has been in years gone. Don’t get me started on Heskey…
I’m a Villa fan to Brian, Keane will be good for us and talks of us gettin Drogba aswel!! Unlikely though, Heskey had a surprise birthday party arranged for him yesterday but he missed it!! It actually was his birthday yesterday
It would have been brilliant if he’d said it had always been a dream to play for Villa!! Hope he has a good run of games & knocks in a few goals.
I always dreamt this day would come .
wow 4 instances of the same joke. can we get a fifth? cmon someone! anyone!
Is it your childhood dream for this?
So glad Robbie has joined his boyhood dream club that he always dreamed of joining.