JULY 29
Robbie Keane
factfile
Liverpool Echo
1980: Born Robert David Keane in Dublin on July 8.
1994: Chooses to join Wolves, then being managed by former England
manager Graham Taylor, despite interest from top-flight clubs.
1997: Signs professional contract for Wolves in July. Scores twice
on his first-team debut in 2-0 win at Norwich on the opening day of
the season.
1998: Makes his international debut for the Republic of Ireland as a
substitute against the Czech Republic. Wolves beaten 1-0 by Arsenal
in the FA Cup semi-final with Keane left on the bench by manager
Mark McGhee.
Wins rave reviews for man-of-the-match performance in his second
appearance for the Republic in a friendly against Argentina. During
the summer, helps his country win the European Youth Championship in
Cyprus.
1999: Injury hinders second half of season and Wolves are furious
after Keane is called up by the Republic for Under-20 World
Championships in Nigeria.
Despite interest from Middlesbrough and Aston Villa, Keane starts
the season with Wolves and scores only goal of the game in the
opening match of Division One campaign at Manchester City.
With Wolves holding out for £6million in face of £5.5million offer
from Aston Villa boss John Gregory, Manchester United manager Sir
Alex Ferguson famously quoted as saying he would only pay £500,000
for Keane.
August - Joins Coventry for £6million to become most expensive
teenager in the Premiership and scores twice on his debut as Derby
are beaten at Highfield Road.
November - scores for the Republic in the first leg of their Euro
2000 play-off against Turkey in Dublin, but misses the second leg
after picking up a booking in the 1-1 draw. The Republic are held
0-0 and go out on away goals.
2000: February - Nets a late winner in the Republic’s 3-2 victory
over Euro 2000 hopefuls the Czech Republic in a friendly in Dublin.
April - Scores what would turn out to be the last of his 17 goals
for Coventry in the 2-1 win over Middlesbrough at Highfield Road.
June - Gains more international experience on a tour of the United
States, playing against Mexico and South Africa.
July - Joins Italian giants Inter Milan for £13million in a
five-year deal.
September - Bags the opening goal in the Republic’s 2-2 draw against
Holland in the 2002 World Cup qualifier in Amsterdam, taking his
international tally to seven in 22 games.
October - Marcello Lippi is sacked after a poor start to the Serie A
season and failing to qualify for the Champions League. Keane finds
himself on the bench after failing to score in four starts.
November - Former club Wolves have a speculative bid to take the
youngster back to Molineux on loan turned down.
December - After Reggina have a bid to take Keane on loan rejected,
Inter president Massimo Moratti rejects reports that a fee has been
agreed with Chelsea. However a few days later, Leeds secure Keane on
loan until the end of the season, with a view to a permanent
£12million switch in the summer.
2001: Makes a superb start to his Leeds career, bagging nine goals
in 14 appearances before an ankle injury two games before the end of
the campaign curtails his season.
September - scores as Leeds win 2-0 at Charlton in the Premiership,
and follows that with a hat-trick in United’s 6-0 Worthington Cup
demolition of Leicester.
November - Hits the target in Ireland’s World Cup qualifying
play-off first leg against Iran, which the hosts win 2-0.
2002: April - Injury, together with the arrival of Robbie Fowler
from Liverpool, reduces Keane’s appearances in the first team,
leading to rumours of a move away from Elland Road.
The Irishman insists however he wants to stay, and he ends a
six-month league goal drought with a strike in a home win over
Sunderland.
May - Selected for the Republic’s World Cup squad. Involved in a
minor training ground bust-up with team-mate Niall Quinn, during
which Keane threw a punch at the then Sunderland man.
June - Snatches a last-minute equaliser in Ireland’s World Cup
second Group E match, against Germany.
Follows that up with a goal in the 3-0 win over Saudi Arabia and a
crucial late, late penalty to force extra-time against Spain in the
second round. Nets in the penalty shoot-out, but it ends in
heartbreak as Ireland lose 3-2.
July 2 - Leeds agree a fee with Sunderland for the player but he
decides against the move.
August 31 - Joins Tottenham for £7million.
2003: January 12 - Scores first hat-trick for Spurs in a thrilling
4-3 Premiership victory over Everton at White Hart Lane.
2004: Spurs have a tough season battling against relegation but
Keane finishes the season as the club’s top scorer with 16 goals -
including a hat-trick against former club Wolves.
2005: April - Storms from the dugout towards the end of the game
against Birmingham after all three substitutes had been used in the
match. Was fined £10,000 and forced to train with the reserves after
the outburst.
May - Finishes the season with 17 goals despite being frequently
selected behind the likes of Jermain Defoe, Freddy Kanoute and Mido.
November - After initially being a bit-part player at the start of
the 2005-06 season, Keane takes his chance when handed a start by
Martin Jol.
2006: March - Signs a new four-year contact and is rewarded for his
maturity by being given the vice-captaincy.
May - Finishes the campaign with 16 league goals - making him the
Premier League’s joint fourth top goalscorer.
December - Suffers a knee ligament injury against Middlesbrough
after a slow start to the 2006-07 season.
2007: April - Following a return from injury he forms a lethal
partnership with Dimitar Berbatov and is jointly awarded the FA
Premier League’s Player of the Month with the Bulgarian.
May 13 - Ends the season with a total of 22 goals in all
competitions - the highest season tally of his career.
May 28 - Signs a new five-year contract with the club.
2008: January 2 - Steve Staunton hands Keane the captaincy of the
national team following his appointment as Republic of Ireland
manager.
January 19 - Scored his 100th competitive goal for Tottenham in the
2-0 win against Sunderland - only the 15th Spurs player to achieve
the feat.
February - Wins his first major honour as a Spurs player as part of
the side which claims an extra-time victory over Chelsea in the
League Cup final.
April - Makes his 250th appearance for Spurs in the 1-1 draw with
Middlesbrough.
May 11 - Finishes joint top scorer for Spurs in the 2007-08 season
with Berbatov on 23 goals.
July 28 - Joins Liverpool in a deal worth £20million, signing a
four-year contract.
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