Liverpool FC player profile - Robbie Keane

Liverpool FC's Robbie Keane (born Robert David Keane) was born on 5th July 1980 in Tallaght, Dublin, Southern Ireland. Robbie Keane began his football career as a schoolboy with Dublin's Crumlin United where his footballing ability soon became very evident.  At 17 years old Robbie Keane joined Wolverhampton Wanderers and began his professional football career.  In joining Wolves Robbie Keane had turned down the opportunity to join Liverpool FC believing he would have more chance of first team football at Wolves, who were in the first division at that time (now known as 'The Championship).  It was on 9th August 1997 that Robbie Keane made his professional debut when the 17 year old scored twice against Norwich City.  In his second season with Wolves Robbie Keane became the clubs top scorer and overall in his two tears at the club he scored 24 goals in 74 appearances.  In March 1998 he made his first senior appearance for the Republic of Ireland against the Czech Republic and scored his first interantional goal against Malta later that year, Robbie Keane was also part of the squad that travelled to the 2002 Japan/South Korea World Cup.

Robbie Keane entered the Premiership when he was sold to Coventry in 1999 for a record fee for a British teenager (£6million), during his time at Coventry City he experienced a meteoric rise to become one of Europe's most sought after players. After a year with Coventry, 34 appearances and 12 goals, Robbie Keane made a £13million dream move to Inter Milan joining Christian Vieri and Brazilian Ronaldo in Marcello Lippi's squad. Marcello Lippi was sacked soon after the move and his replacement Marco Tardelli didn't favour Robbie Keane and in December 2000 he was loaned to Leeds United.  Five months later after 14 appearances and 9 goals Robbie Keane was signed by Leeds United on a permanent basis for £12million.  A dip in form combined with financial problems at Leeds United saw the striker move to Tottenham Hotspur in 2002.

Robbie Keane became Tottenham Hotspur's top scorer with 13 goals in his first season with the club, his second season was a success too but he then experienced a frustrating time over the next season and a half where he struggled to win a place in the side.  In November 2005 Tottenham manager Martin Jol gave Robbie Keane a chance to retrieve his first team place and he rose to the challenge playing some of his best ever football.  The 2006/07 season saw Robbie Keane score his highest number of goals (22) in a single season, then in December 2007 he scored his 100th Premiership goal, the 13th player to do so, and in February 2008 Robbie Keane won his first senior honour when Tottenham beat Chelsea 2-1 in the League Cup final.  Prior to the 2008/09 Robbie Keane was transferred to Liverpool FC, the club he supported as a child, for a fee of £19million. On 1st October 2008 Robbie Keane opened his goal scoring account for Liverpool FC in a 3-1 Champions League win against PSV Eindhoven.