Villa complete loan deal for Keane from LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy and Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane signs on a two-month loan deal.
The club are pleased to confirm that a loan deal has been agreed with LA Galaxy for Republic of Ireland international Robbie Keane.
Subject to clearance by FIFA, the 31-year-old striker will be available for our game against Everton on Saturday at Villa Park and up to and including our game against Wigan on February 25.
He will also be eligible to play in the FA Cup.
Ireland's record goalscorer in international football with 53 goals, Keane was among the most prolific strikers in the Premier League between 1999 - when he joined Coventry City for a then British record transfer fee for a teenager - and May 2011, before he joined the current MLS Cup winners.
Villa manager Alex McLeish has emphasised Keane's "leadership qualities, his movement and experience" and Keane is relishing the prospect of passing on some of that experience to younger team-mates such as Marc Albrighton, Barry Bannan and Ciaran Clark as well as linking up again with Darren Bent and with Gabby Agbonlahor and Stephen Ireland in Villa's upcoming games.
"I'm delighted to be back in the Premier League," Keane said.
"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.
"I'm excited about it and I know I'll really enjoy my time here.
"It's only for two months but I will do my absolute best in these two months.
"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. 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.
"There are really good players here - Darren, Gabby, Emile and young Nathan Delfouneso and Andy Weimann - but if I can help and contribute to the overall effort of the team then hopefully I will be of benefit to Aston Villa. That's my aim."
Villa's record signing Darren Bent, who played alongside Keane at Tottenham, believes that Keane's loan from Galaxy is a clever move by the club.
"It's a top signing, a really clever move. In training Robbie has looked razor-sharp and up for the challenge," 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.
"He knows the game inside out and, from what I have seen of him so far, he's bright as a button.
"He will help all the other strikers here but, more importantly, he will help Villa.
"He will bring experience which will aid a few of the younger lads who are breaking through into the team and the other youngsters in and around the place. And he will bring goals too, hopefully.
"He also brings that competition to the striking department. Gabby's in great form, I'm coming back into form after my injury problems, Emile has an injury but there's Nathan and Andy Weimann, too, so the competition will only be enhanced with Robbie's presence here.
"I think he will do really well for us. He's such a smart player."
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