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Aston Villa's new loan signing Robbie Keane is 'unveiled' in Birmingham. Nick Potts/PA Wire/Press Association Images
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Robbie's return: Villa confirm Keane loan deal

“There has been a lot of speculation over the years linking my name to Villa and, finally, I’m here.”

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.

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.

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