Early Career and Transfer to Tottenham Hotspur
Robbie Keane began his playing career with Dublin club Crumlin United before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1997. He made his professional debut in 1998 and quickly established himself as a prolific goalscorer, earning him a move to Tottenham Hotspur in 2002 for a fee of around £12 million.
Move to Aston Villa
After six successful seasons at Tottenham, where he scored over 100 goals, Keane made the switch to Aston Villa in 2008. The transfer fee was reported to be in the region of £12 million.
Factors Influencing the Transfer
Several factors contributed to Keane’s departure from Tottenham and his subsequent move to Aston Villa:
- Lack of Playing Time: Keane had fallen out of favor at Tottenham under manager Martin Jol, who preferred other attacking options.
- Desire for Regular Playing Time: Keane was eager to play more regularly and believed Aston Villa offered him that opportunity.
- Attraction to Gerard Houllier: Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier, a former Liverpool manager, was a huge admirer of Keane and convinced him to join the club.
Impact at Aston Villa
Keane made a significant impact at Aston Villa, scoring 39 goals in 123 appearances. He helped the club win the 2010 League Cup, their first major trophy in seven years. However, his time at Villa Park was marked by both highs and lows.
Contract Dispute and Departure
In 2011, a contract dispute arose between Keane and Aston Villa. The player refused to extend his contract, which expired at the end of the 2011-12 season. He eventually left the club on a free transfer, joining Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS.
Transfer Fee Comparison
Compared to his previous transfer from Tottenham to Aston Villa, Keane’s move to Los Angeles Galaxy was considerably less expensive. The American club reportedly paid no transfer fee to acquire the Irish international.
Transfer Fee Table
| Transfer | Club | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Tottenham to Aston Villa | Aston Villa | £12 million |
| Aston Villa to Los Angeles Galaxy | Los Angeles Galaxy | Free |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why did Robbie Keane leave Tottenham for Aston Villa?
A: Keane left Tottenham due to lack of playing time and a desire for regular first-team action.
Q: How much did Aston Villa pay for Robbie Keane?
A: Aston Villa paid around £12 million to acquire Keane from Tottenham.
Q: What was the impact of Robbie Keane’s move to Aston Villa?
A: Keane made a significant impact at Aston Villa, scoring 39 goals and helping the club win the League Cup in 2010.
Q: Why did Robbie Keane leave Aston Villa?
A: Keane left Aston Villa due to a contract dispute and a desire to move on to a new challenge.
References:
Robbie Keane’s Salary at Aston Villa
Specific details about Robbie Keane’s salary while playing for Aston Villa are not publicly available. However, various sources estimate that he earned a significant sum during his time at the club:
- Transfermarkt: Rumored annual salary of £4.5 million
- The Daily Mirror: Reported weekly wage of around £70,000
These figures suggest that Keane was among the highest-paid players in the Aston Villa squad at the time. His salary likely reflected his status as a prolific striker and his contributions to the team’s success.
Robbie Keane’s Goals for Aston Villa
Robbie Keane, the Irish international forward, scored 19 goals in 77 appearances for Aston Villa during his time at the club from 2012 to 2014. A prolific striker known for his finishing ability, Keane made a significant contribution to Villa’s goalscoring exploits during that period.
He began his Villa career with a goal on his debut against Liverpool in August 2012, and continued to find the net on a regular basis throughout his two seasons at the club. Some of his notable goals include a stunning volley against Manchester United at Old Trafford, a penalty against Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final, and a hat-trick against Norwich City.
Keane’s goals played a crucial role in Villa’s success during his time, helping them to secure a top-half finish in the Premier League and reach the FA Cup final in 2015. His overall record of 19 goals in 77 appearances remains a testament to his goalscoring prowess and his contribution to Aston Villa.
Robbie Keane’s Assists for Aston Villa
Irish striker Robbie Keane made a significant contribution to Aston Villa’s attacking prowess during his time at the club. During his five seasons with the Villans, Keane recorded an impressive 21 assists in all competitions.
In the 2011/12 season, he provided four assists in the Premier League, including a crucial pass for Gabriel Agbonlahor’s goal against Tottenham Hotspur. The following season, he assisted four goals in the league and one in the FA Cup, setting up Darren Bent for a winner against Queens Park Rangers.
Keane’s most productive season in terms of assists for Aston Villa came in 2013/14. He registered six assists in the Premier League, including a stunning pass to Christian Benteke for a goal against Manchester City. He also provided two assists in the FA Cup.
Keane’s final season with Aston Villa, 2014/15, saw him record five assists in the Premier League. Notably, he provided an assist for Jack Grealish in a 3-1 win over Liverpool. Throughout his time at the club, Keane’s precise passing and vision played a key role in creating scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Aston Villa’s Record with Robbie Keane
During his tenure at Aston Villa from January 2012 to June 2014, Robbie Keane played 48 matches for the club across all competitions. He scored 12 goals and recorded 5 assists.
- Premier League: 30 appearances, 6 goals, 3 assists
- FA Cup: 6 appearances, 2 goals, 1 assist
- League Cup: 6 appearances, 2 goals
- Europa League: 6 appearances, 2 goals, 1 assist
Premier League Clubs Robbie Keane Played For
Robbie Keane, an Irish professional footballer, played for three Premier League clubs during his career:
- Tottenham Hotspur (2002-2008, 2009-2011): Keane joined Tottenham from Inter Milan and quickly became a key player, scoring over 100 goals for the club.
- Liverpool (2008-2009): After a brief spell with Celtic, Keane returned to the Premier League with Liverpool, initially on loan before making a permanent move. He had a somewhat disappointing season with the Reds.
- West Ham United (2010-2011): Keane was loaned to West Ham during the 2010-2011 season, making just a handful of appearances.
Robbie Keane’s Goal Celebration for Aston Villa
Irish striker Robbie Keane scored a stunning goal for Aston Villa against Manchester United in 2012, which he celebrated in a unique way. Running towards the corner flag, he proceeded to throw himself over it and into the crowd of ecstatic Villa fans. This spontaneous act demonstrated Keane’s passion and connection with the club and its supporters, creating a memorable moment in Aston Villa’s history.
Robbie Keane’s Playing Style for Aston Villa
Robbie Keane joined Aston Villa in 2012 on a six-month loan deal. During his time at the club, he showcased his trademark attacking prowess and dynamic playstyle.
Keane played primarily as a striker, but his versatility allowed him to also operate in wider attacking roles. He possessed excellent finishing abilities, with a knack for finding the back of the net from close range and outside the box. His aerial prowess and ability to hold the ball up also made him an effective target man.
Off the ball, Keane was known for his intelligent movement and ability to find space. He often drifted into wide areas to create chances for teammates or make himself available for a pass. His pace and agility were also valuable assets, allowing him to exploit gaps in the opposition defense and create attacking opportunities.
Robbie Keane’s Highlights for Aston Villa
Robbie Keane, the legendary Irish striker, had a brief but memorable spell at Aston Villa from 2012 to 2014. During his time with the Villans, he showcased his exceptional goal-scoring abilities with several notable highlights:
- Stunning Equalizer vs. Manchester United: In a 3-2 thriller against Manchester United, Keane came off the bench to score a magnificent equalizer with a low drive into the bottom corner.
- Match-Winning Headers vs. Wigan and Norwich: Keane’s aerial prowess was on full display as he netted two crucial headers against Wigan and Norwich, securing important wins for Villa.
- Clinical Strike vs. Chelsea: In a memorable FA Cup tie, Keane unleashed a clinical strike to give Villa a 1-0 lead against Chelsea.
- Memorable Goal against West Ham: Keane’s goal-scoring instincts shone through in a match against West Ham, as he scored a beautiful goal from the edge of the box.
- Last-Minute Winner vs. Blackburn: In a dramatic encounter, Keane became the hero by scoring a last-minute winner against Blackburn Rovers, helping Villa secure a vital three points.
Robbie Keane’s Lowlights for Aston Villa
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Struggling for Goals: Despite being signed as a prolific goalscorer, Keane only managed 12 goals in 73 appearances for Villa. His goal tally was far below expectations, especially considering his previous record at other clubs.
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Injuries and Fitness Issues: Keane’s time at Villa was plagued by injuries and fitness concerns. He missed numerous games due to muscle problems, hamstring strains, and other ailments, limiting his availability and impact.
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Lack of Impact in Big Games: While Keane performed reasonably well in some matches, he failed to make a significant impact in crucial games. He often struggled to find his rhythm and make a meaningful contribution when the team needed him most.
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Off-field Controversies: Keane’s time at Villa was also marked by some off-field controversies. He was involved in a verbal altercation with a fan and was criticized for his behavior on several occasions. These incidents damaged his reputation and contributed to his struggles on the pitch.
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Failed to Revive Villa’s Attack: Villa had hoped that Keane’s arrival would rejuvenate their attack, but it ultimately failed to materialize. The team continued to struggle for goals and could not improve their league position, ultimately leading to Keane’s eventual departure from the club.
Aston Villa Fans’ Opinion of Robbie Keane
Robbie Keane’s time at Aston Villa was marked by mixed reactions from fans. Some appreciated his experience and goal-scoring prowess, while others criticized his high wages and perceived lack of commitment.
Keane’s arrival from Liverpool in 2012 was initially met with optimism, as he was seen as a potential replacement for the departed Darren Bent. However, his performances were often inconsistent, and he struggled to establish himself as a regular starter.
Fans also questioned Keane’s work ethic, as he was accused of not tracking back and failing to contribute defensively. His perceived lack of passion for the club further alienated some supporters.
Despite these criticisms, Keane did have some successful moments at Villa, notably scoring in the 3-1 League Cup semi-final win over Bradford City. However, his overall impact was underwhelming, and he was released by the club in 2014 after two seasons.
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