Robbie Keane to L.A Galaxy

IRISHSPORTSGUY

http://www.cartilagefreecaptain.com/2011/8/12/2359858/robbie-keane-on-his-way-to-la-galaxy-report

Crazy end to the work week today. New reports from two ESPN sources say that a deal is done sending Robbie Keane to the Los Angles Galaxy of MLS. Keane is reportedly flying straight to Los Angeles now, fresh from an international friendly Wednesday night against Croatia in Dublin.

Mark Donaldson reports that the deal is apparently a, "Lucrative deal worth $9 million over next 2 years." This move has been long rumored, as nearly a year and a half ago Keane was being pushed by his wife to follow David Beckham in making the switch from the Premiership to Galaxy. Keane's wife Claudine said at the time, "Would I like to see him play for a team like LA Galaxy? Yes, I would love that, but it changes all the time."

The timing of the move makes perfect sense in conjunction with the post below, rumoring Emmanuel Adebayor to come on loan with Tottenham. Clearing Keane's salary would certainly open up space for the Togolese striker to join the club.

The move is completely logical for the Galaxy as well, as the table-topping club has only lacked a top class striker in their pursuit of an MLS Cup. Salary wise a move would have to happen for the Galaxy, as they have used up their three allotted "Designated Player" slots, which allow teams up to three players with no salary cap restrictions.

To make such a move happen, it is likely that former Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel will be departing the Galaxy to make room for Keane. We will keep looking for more reports confirming the move, but for now it seems Tottenham's former Irish talisman is Hollywood bound.

Blatter

I won't believe it until I see it

Paully D

Keeping the missus sweet after his antics.

Jax Teller

It's his childhood team

Kiwi_knock

That really came from no where, however it would be a good move for him.

x in the city

$$$$$$$ wise, very good move.

is there a player who has had more transfers than keane in the modern era, lol

he is a gas man.

CSF

Long and Doyle the new Irish strikeforce then.

Cypher_sounds

sugarman wrote: »

Excellent move if through... He'll bang them in for fun over there like he did in the SPL with Celtic

With Beckham providing good ball he should be scoring for fun over there.

tonycascarino

Now he can be our MLS scout. Maybe he can find us a new Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey or a Brian McBride.

Cypher_sounds

Reports going around on twitter he will be on $8 million for 2 years.

Helix

galaxy already have their 3 designated players in angel, beckham and donovan though? theyre not allowed another

Daysha

SSN now reporting it.

Pinturicchio

CSF wrote: »

Long and Doyle the new Irish strikeforce then.

Kilbane playing for Huddersfield didn't mean he was dropped for Ireland.

gustafo

won't this be a disaster for the irish side ? if he goes there would ye think he will still compete with ireland ?

MUSEIST

Good move for robbie, step up from spurs imo

Paully D

Helix wrote: »

galaxy already have their 3 designated players in angel, beckham and donovan though? theyre not allowed another

Angel will be off.

Washington Irving

Pinturicchio wrote: »

Kilbane playing for Huddersfield didn't mean he was dropped for Ireland.

Yeah, but Hudddersfield isn't on the other side of the world

Helix

the american league isnt that bad lads, plus strikers thrive on confidence. if he does well there it'll be good news for the national team

CSF

Pinturicchio wrote: »

Kilbane playing for Huddersfield didn't mean he was dropped for Ireland.

This player actually has good players to replace him.

Cill Dara Abu

MUSEIST wrote: »

Good move for robbie, step up from spurs imo

And how do you come to this conclusion?

I'm astonished no club in the PM has come in for him.

Twilight of his career and a chance of a move to California on an $8m contract?

Hmmm tough one that!

x in the city

players at their last legs either go state side or some rich gulf side to cash cash cash in before they finally put up their boots.

he would have to have some lose marbles to turn down that offer, no matter what team in the MLS it was.

Robbie probably could buy out Everton by now. and have spare change...

x in the city

rarnes1 wrote: »

Twilight of his career and a chance of a move to California on an $8m contract?

Hmmm tough one that!

Id say his missus was riding him going oh yesss robbie!!

WalterMitty

Wont take a pay cut to go to a lower team , wont stay and fight for place at spurs, lets wife dictate career. Good riddance to him. Let him be the big fish in a little pond that he so relishes.

x in the city

WalterMitty wrote: »

Wont take a pay cut to go to a lower team , wont stay and fight for place at spurs, lets wife dictate career. Good riddance to him. Let him be the big fish in a little pond that he so relishes.

indeed, robbie thinks he is just that bit too good...

i have no doube Moyes would give Robbie a go at Everton if he did not want 70k a week or whatever it is he gets for sitting on a bench. Saha is on pay as you play ...which isnt much and he still prob would get as many goals per game as robbie.

x in the city

the galaxy are crap anyway.. portland timbers (who ever the hell they are) hammered them a few weeks ago.

la galaxy and la lakers pretty sucky in recent times.. whats in their water over there...

Paully D

x in the city wrote: »

the galaxy are crap anyway.. portland timbers (who ever the hell they are) hammered them a few weeks ago.

la galaxy and la lakers pretty sucky in recent times.. whats in their water over there...

The La Lakers have won 2 championships in the last three years.

LuckyLloyd

CSF wrote: »

Long and Doyle the new Irish strikeforce then.

Love the Robbie Keane haters, shine on you crazy diamonds. Keane will continue leading us as Captain for the duration of this initial contract at least, and rightly so.

Helix wrote: »

the american league isnt that bad lads, plus strikers thrive on confidence. if he does well there it'll be good news for the national team

The American League has been steadily improving, and Keane will do well over there. Perfect for Ireland - he'll be playing in a league challenging enough to keep him sharp, but not hard enough that he won't destroy it ala the SPL. Our Captain will be fit and confident for Ireland games. Result!

TheZohanS

WalterMitty wrote: »

Wont take a pay cut to go to a lower team , wont stay and fight for place at spurs, lets wife dictate career. Good riddance to him. Let him be the big fish in a little pond that he so relishes.

What he lacks in technical skill he makes up for in hard work and perseverance.

Say what you like but he's been a loyal servant to the Irish team, you never see him making up excuses so he can miss games for the Republic and he's always been 100% committed.

I wish him all the best.

gustafo

TheZohan wrote: »

What he lacks in technical skill he makes up for in hard work and perseverance.

Say what you like but he's been a loyal servant to the Irish team, you never see him making up excuses so he can miss games for the Republic and he's always been 100% committed.

I wish him all the best.

well said

GoldFour4

I'll pay a lot more attention to the American league if Keane moves there anyway. Solid playing time is an added bonus.

I had to laugh at his wifes comments." Oh it would be good for him to play for that team" yeah right missus, the LA shopping and climate has nothing to do with it I suppose

doomed

MUSEIST wrote: »

Good move for robbie, step up from spurs imo

Nice one - like the irony.

adox

WalterMitty wrote: »

Wont take a pay cut to go to a lower team , wont stay and fight for place at spurs, lets wife dictate career. Good riddance to him. Let him be the big fish in a little pond that he so relishes.

Eh he's been warming the bench at best for Spurs for god knows how long and frozen out by Redknapp. It's been clear for some time he has no future at the club.

Good luck to him. He's nothing to prove to anyone in football, least of all Internet warriors. Hope to see him lead Ireland for the campaign ahead.

starviewadams

Fair play to him if he can get that kind of money and live in a beautiful climate!

As long as he's playing 90 mins every week and banging in the goals for them it can only be good for Ireland.

Can't be any worse then sitting on the bench every weekend for Spurs.

Kerrydude1981

If he signs the Yanks will love him,Keane will be cartwheeling all over the place.

CSF

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Love the Robbie Keane haters, shine on you crazy diamonds. Keane will continue leading us as Captain for the duration of this initial contract at least, and rightly so.

Go take a look in some of our match threads and see if I'm a Robbie Keane hater, quite the opposite in fact. But this is a terrible career move when looking to compete with 2 strikers hitting their peak playing every week at Premiership clubs.

Headshot

Best of luck with him

He'll be scoring bag full of goals with that team all day long

Fowler87

TheZohan wrote: »

What he lacks in technical skill he makes up for in hard work and perseverance.

Say what you like but he's been a loyal servant to the Irish team, you never see him making up excuses so he can miss games for the Republic and he's always been 100% committed.

I wish him all the best.

Hes some good technique in fairness too but people have hyped him up too much boosting Robbie' ego instead of him trying to vary and improve his game. Hope he leaves it another year or 2 before going down that route.. Too important for Ireland still

Mr. Denton

Euro 2012 is in the middle of the Yank season. Will there be any problem releasing him for possible 6+ weeks?

LuckyLloyd

CSF wrote: »

Go take a look in some of our match threads and see if I'm a Robbie Keane hater, quite the opposite in fact. But this is a terrible career move when looking to compete with 2 strikers hitting their peak playing every week at Premiership clubs.

They've been playing far more regularly than him the past 12 months. And guess what, when it comes to getting the goals for Ireland during that period, who has delivered? Keane.

I love Doyle and Long, but they don't have what he has, and all the Premiership football in the world ain't going to get it for them. They are excellent, hard working handfuls - but they have never had the class Keane has. And Doyle is everything he's going to be at this age...

In any case, once our players are playing at a decent level regularly and performing well, the fact that isn't happening for a Premiership Club isn't as relevant as people think.

LuckyLloyd

Mr. Denton wrote: »

Euro 2012 is in the middle of the Yank season. Will there be any problem releasing him for possible 6+ weeks?

They'll be forced to release him for an International Tournament of that ilk. Just as it is for Premiership clubs when the African Nations rolls round.

x in the city

Paully D wrote: »

The La Lakers have won 2 championships in the last three years.

i know that but the recent finals they were gone AWOL.

CSF

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

They've been playing far more regularly than him the past 12 months. And guess what, when it comes to getting the goals for Ireland during that period, who has delivered? Keane.

I love Doyle and Long, but they don't have what he has, and all the Premiership football in the world ain't going to get it for them. They are excellent, hard working handfuls - but they have never had the class Keane has. And Doyle is everything he's going to be at this age...

In any case, once our players are playing at a decent level regularly and performing well, the fact that isn't happening for a Premiership Club isn't as relevant as people think.

MLS will definitely lead to him going backwards as a player. He isn't far enough ahead of the other 2 to afford to be able to go backwards while the other 2 (Long in particular) are improving.

staker

Cypher_sounds wrote: »

With Beckham providing good ball he should be scoring for fun over there.

That's the gheyest thing I've ever heard!

steelcityblues

Shane Long and Kevin Doyle have something to prove this season, before they can overtake Robbie Keane in the pecking order - MLS player or not.

Bondvillain

Fair play to him. The drop in wages doesn't seem to have put him off....

WalterMitty

Bondvillain wrote: »

Fair play to him. The drop in wages doesn't seem to have put him off....

Less income tax in america.

Revolution9

CSF wrote: »

MLS will definitely lead to him going backwards as a player. He isn't far enough ahead of the other 2 to afford to be able to go backwards while the other 2 (Long in particular) are improving.

The only decent run of football he has had in the past 18 months was in the SPL and he still produced the goods for Ireland. Is the SPL all that much weaker than the MLS?

Kirby

In my opinion, yes it is.

With a couple of exceptions, anyone can beat anyone in the MLS. The gulf in class between The old Firm and everyone else in the SPL is very large.

At first I thought this would be a bad move but having thought about it some more, no premiership club is going to sign robbie due to his wage demands. So better the MLS and playing every week than rotting on the bench for Spurs for another season.

dartbhoy

While he's going to rake in a fortune over in MLS I don't think this is a good move for Robbie Keane as regards his International career and it's only a matter of time now when we see Long and Doyle Ireland's new strikeforce up front.

If Keane wasn't so obsessed with money and had interest in prolonging his international career a move to recently linked championship team Leicester would have made a way more sense as regards Ireland IMO. In fairness to Keane it's a good retirement package for him!

Richard Hillman

He would be a mad man to turn this down if its true. I think he will stay at Spurs though. He will stupidly stay and fight for his place.