Robbie Keane

We never do things the easy way. In 1999 we gave Coventry £4 million for Darren Huckerby to enable them to spend £6 million to acquire Keane from Wolves. Subsequently we had to pay a further £11 million to gain his services...am I the only one to think that this could have been done differently and not cost us the extra £9 million....?

Whatever - Keane looked to be a very talented young forward. Averaging one goal for every three appearances, he did well in Division One and earned his call up to the international scene. He was runner-up in the PFA "Young Player of the Year" award and after an injury-affected end to the season Gordon Strachan was hoping for a solid run from the youngster in the 2000-01 campaign. With the transfer market going mad, Marcello Lippi decided to take Keane to Internazionale, but a poor start to the season saw Lippi ousted, and with Ronaldo and other major international talents returning Keane found himself well down the list of new manager Tardelli's favoured strikers.

In December 2000, rumours of his return to England hit fever pitch. West Ham and Chelsea both failed to clinch his signature, and Charlton's relationship with Inter didn't persuade him to go - but the prospect of playing for DOL did. He knew he'd have to fight for a place in a set of forwards that includes Mark Viduka, Alan Smith, Harry Kewell and Michael Bridges and was likely to find himself used in rotation in attack or as an option as part of an attacking midfield. He made an excellent start to his career at Leeds with goals coming quickly, although they dried up a bit - and he missed a couple of sitters that could really have made the difference in a couple of games.

In 2001-02, it seemed at first that Smith/Viduka was the preferred striker pairing, and he started from the bench - but Alan Smith's injury gave him a few chances to shine, and a hat-trick at Leicester showed that he'd got his scoring boots back. Unfortunately, he failed to find the net often enough, and Robbie Fowler's arrival pushed him back down the pecking order - although Alan Smith's suspensions give him the chance to make regular appearances from the bench. He didn't seem to be on the greatest of terms with his manager - but there must have been something that DOL saw, because he hung onto him even though the Fowler purchase was apparently authorised conditionally on the sale of Keane.

The World Cup in 2002 proved to be a very successful one for Keane - he produced some high-quality all-round performances and showed his coolness under extreme pressure when he netted a last minute penalty against Germany to square the game. With his stock riding high - and with Michael Bridges back to fitness and the club under some financial pressure - Leeds agreed a fee for his services with Sunderland, but Keane opted to stay and fight for a place under new manager Terry Venables. That fighting spirit didn't last long: after three games coming off the bench as a sub he decided he had to have first team football, and Leeds agreed a fee with Spurs on deadline day to allow him to move on.

Alan Moore says: I played for Crumlin Utd in Dublin a year below Robbie and I once saw him score 6 goals in fifteen minutes in an under 15s game. What a player!

Lis says: I've been a Robbie fan since he first started out at Wolves before anyone outside Wolves had really heard of him!!! I've been his number one fan ever since and just wanna say that he's done brilliant and i luv him loads!!!

Euan Home says: He is GOD. He is better than Pele and Maradona.

Niall McGarry says: True Class! His precociousness and tenacity excite and inspire. Has the talent to become one of the all time greats. You should have seen his Ireland debut against Argentina, he stole the show and received the Man of the Match award grasping it from the clutches of Ortega and Batistuta, no less.

Nicki says: Robbie Keane is a top class footie player but even nicer looking! Any one who doesn't rate him doesn't deserve an opinion!

Vinay says: the guy is like gold. I've followed since the Wolves days where he was a prodigy of Div 1 and now he's up there with the best!

Bradley Payne says: I think Robbie is brill.

Orla says: Robbie Keane is GOD!!! He is a totaly class player and he is the best looking footballer! I saw him playing in a friendly for the Republic against Croatia in August and he was the most skillful player on the pitch and he has some brilliant tricks which he demonstrated while warming up. I love Keano!

Liam Sloan says: Will Robbie have to leave leeds? O'Leary is not going to pick him before Viduka and Fowler. If Keane plays for Ireland in the World Cup, McCarthy might not pick him seeing he is not getting on for his club, he will move again. He will no doubt shine if he does play in Japan and rake O'Leary in a lot of money. By the way Keane is better than Owen.

Kelly says: Hi - I used to know Robbie very well when he played for Coventry. I spent a lot of time around his house and I loved going to ikon with him and Noel Whelan! I know the girl he is with now, they will always be together for sure!

Libby says: Robbie Keane is the most skillful Irish player ever. I've met him several times at Rep Ireland games and know that he will be the star of the World Cup 2002.

Jo says: One night clubbing in W-Ton, Rob came over to me and asked whether he could buy me a drink, which was really sweet of him apart from the fact that I was just leaving the bar and had 3 drinks in my hands for my mates and I. Bless him!, he deserves to be a star, from that night I got to know him quite well and he is a true Gentleman!!

Stephen Munro says: Keane should move to Liverpool cos he's not gonna get his game m8.

John says: Robbie is a great player, much better that Fowler, probably even Owen on his day. He should leave Leeds before DOL ruins his career. David O'L if you read this do the decent thing for Ireland: either let a club that will play him have him or PLAY him yourself. Take a look at his last season in Leeds and make Fowler earn his place.

Jim says: Robbie Keane is one of the most skillfull and fastest strikers in the Premiership unlike Mark Viduka who does not run at any point in the match even when he has the ball so he should start before him so let's have the two Robbie's up front and make a spark.

Samantha Navey says: I think that Robbie Keane is a good football player. I would like your autograph please.

Robert Feeney says: I can't understand why Robbie is not playing regularly at Leeds - O'Leary was so big on him at first signing - now he's lucky to get off the bench - they couldn't score against PSV and they still let him rot on the bench. Has anybody got any info on whether Robbie wants a transfer - I'm sure he must at this point - if he doesn't - I'm sure Mick McCarthy does - any info on whether O'Leary wants to trade him - anyway - O'Leary used to play for Ireland - what kind of an Irishman would handicap his national team by benching one of its star players? We're starved for information on this issue over here in canada and would appeciate any news on Robbie.

Coops says: Robbie - based on the stats above - must be the world's highest paid footballer. He has made a total of 145 club appearances (60% in the first division) but has some how managed to accumulate a combined transfer value of 31m. This equates - before a dime has been spent on actual wages - to a whopping 214,000 per game (40 per second, or 632K per goal if you prefer). Bill Gates would be proud of that one. That is one hell of an expensive bench warmer by any standards. And now Leeds look likely to have to sell players to balance the books. Perhaps European football managers should be made take an NVQ in Business Studies as well as a coaching badge before they squander fans hard earnt cash on peripheral adornments to already lavishly rewarded squads.

Conor Fitzsimons says: He went to my birthday party.

blanca canamero vicente says: hello robie, i am blanca caniamero and i am spanish i like fotball and here i am loking after irish children, one of them likes you and i am very happy if you send to roger a picture with your signature. thank for all and i hope you squad plays the final with spain.

scott says: Is Robbie Keane Roy Keane's wee brother or related to him? Can you help settle this argument? Jabba says: no, they're not.

Bill says: Robbie is a class player and i hope he does will for ireland

Beany says: World Cup 2002 - awesome talent

Michael Murphy says: I think that Robbie Keane is the greatest player and he enspirs me to play like him please could I have your Autograph

Kasia says: Robbie is marvellous-a real football talent.I wish him all the best & I'd love to meet him one day!Moreover he's got wonderful eyes and smile!!!!

Mazza Morgan says: I just wanna say that Robbie is amazing and he is Robbie Keane the Sex Machine!!

Danielle says: robbie u did great in japan. cant wait till the season starts again and i can see loads more of u! luv ya loads no. 1 fan *d* xx

Ciara O'Malley says: The first time I saw Robbie Play would be in 98 when i was 10..i bacame an instant fan and have followed him ever since! he is a deadly footballer,and is world class and was just totally mind blowing in the World Cup! he showed them a thing or two about football out there in Japan..he's world class! He is just a BIG legend and I hope he continues to play brilliantly in the future! Keep cartwheeling Keano!

Lauren (robs BIGGEST admirer and follower) says: DONT GO 2 BORO OR SUNDERLAND ROB! You are by far one of the best players 4 LUFC. Lets face it Mark Viduka can never b assed to play whereas u always put 110% effort into every game.u are well better than that fat kangaroo! DOL was mad not give you as many starts as you deserved and i no that you will be able to convince the new manager to let you stay! I believe in you Keano you can do it!!!! ps im avin the statement only 1 keano at the bak of my new shirt next season. pps. PLEAS let Eddie Gray b r next manager ppps well dun in Japan. Star player or wot. and finally i think i feel a song cumin on: THEREZ ONLY 1 KEANO! THEREZ ONLY 1 KEANO! THEREZ ONLY 1 KEANO!!!!!!!!!!!

Grinne says: Robbie-U R a SEX GOD!!!U played brilliant4 Ireland in the world cup and we're all really proud of you! Love Grinne in Dublin

Mike says: Hi Robbie, I love watching you play and that goal against Germany was fantastic!

elaine says: keano is aba e he is a class player and best of all he is irish go on keano

Nelleke says: He Robbie, you did well in Japan. Good luck in the upkoming season. O and not to forget. It's alwost your birthday. CONCRATULATIONS. Lots of love Nelleke from Holland.

Bridget says: Met Robbie almost two years ago, was in Dublin for the week-end and where we met will remail a secret, but he is a great young lad. A great footballer with a great personality. I am very proud that I met Irelands No 10 after all our Donegal man Shay Given is Irelands No 1, sorry Robbie!!!!!!!!!!!!

SILVIA says: Robbie is the World greatest and he is the best because he scored at germany.He is so sweet and i love him so like i love my familie. he is so great and amazing . our whole town in germany knows him because he is the best footballplayer in the world. ROBBIE I LOVE YOU I WILL SEE YOU 2006 IN GERMANY. I WILL TAKE YOU FROM THE AIRPORT. YUO HAVE TO WIN IN MY LAND: ROBBIE CHAMPION 2006 IN GERMANY : IM YOUR BIGGEST FAN KISSS FROM A LITTLE GIRL FROM GERMANY

Joan Page says: Sunderland supporter from Oz, you know where the big fat kangaroos come from, and they can spell, would like to know if Robbie Keane is going to Sunderland, will keep watching this space as we have tried everything else to find out Thankyou Joan

Silvia Kaufmann says: Robbie is the best player . he is the world greatest and he will be the champion 2006 in germany . i am very proud of him

dannielle a derry girl says: keano is a babe i am his no i fan his thighs are class i know what i would love to do to him

anon says: keano is an irsih hero hope he does well in the euro quaifilying games but we know he will. he is also a class looking theres only one keano and that is robbie

aisling from belfast says: keano is a babae he is a hero and why do leeds want to sell him he is one of there best players hope robbie does not go to sunderland or spurs as them teams are not good enough for keano he should stay at leeds and leeds should sell robbie fowler as he lost his abilty to play years ago while at liverpool

colin says: robbie is the man! i'm an american and can even recognize his ralent and ability to put balls in the back of he net. go leeds!

anon says: Hello, yes i have met Robbie and met up with him a few times him whilst he was playing for Coventry he is a great person and made me laugh the first tie i spoke to him! Rob if u wanna come back to balsall let me know!!

Gemma says: Keano sad 2 c u go babe! Agh well we still hav u on r Ireland team babe! Luv u 2 bits baby!!!!! Go Keano! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Loaise says: im from Dublin and i went to school with him and he used to use his stdy time to play soccer in the yard with his mates all the time and even then i knew he would pull on the Green Jersey for Ireland one day. LOVE U ROBBIE

angela from dublin says: Baby Irish (robbie keane) is the best player to come out of ireland. He's irelands Micheal Owen

Daniel Phillips says: leeds need to lighen up a little by buying players we need the midfield sorted out defence is perfect strikers need to lighten up a little so please do some thing to get us in the champions league or something else

David F says: well i for one think weve made a blunder selling the Irish Wonderboy!! Firstly we buy Daz Huckerby to enable coventry to buy what clubs like Liverpool and Man Utd considered overpriced goods - he goes to Milan we then flog Huckerby to them cheap and pay 12m pounds for the player and then flog him half price to Spurs! Confused? Well we reckon he is a bargain genius and we SHOULD have flogged Viduka coz hes crap and adds nothing much!!

Amber says: I was sad to see Robbie go to Spurs because I am a big Robbie fan and I didn't think they were good enough for him. He has apparently made them a lot better. Good players are what make up good teams and Robbie is a good player. I am an American from Texas and I can even see how good he is. If I can see it why couldn't Leeds? Maybe if they had kept him they wouldn't be in the predicament they are in now.

scott says: robbie keane is good and young talent for ireland but no way can he be compared to pele and marodona

tom rochtus says: he is my favourite footballplayer (i live in belgium) i am looking for his signature for over 3 weeks still nothing found robbie keane

Sharalyn Murphy says: Hey Babe!!! Ur doin v Well at Spurs n i'm proud 2 say i'm irish!! But da 1 question i have 2 ask tel y he sold u on da 1st place n only terry no's dat,wel wats done is done n we've got 2 get on wit da job n i tink Sarah is rite maybe not da league but i honestly tink we've a chance of winnin da FA cupcum on Leeds we believe in u n we no u can do it!!!xXxXx

aisling keane says: robbie how are you you do not no me i just want to say you are so good at football .

Sarah says: Hey Robzer, I was sorry to see you go-but another part of me was happy-cuz your doing so well,earning a living and showing off your deadly talent IN Tottenham!! I was real upset when i heard about your ankle spurs really struggeled without you today(1-2-03). Well hopefully you'll be fit for our friendly this month , bring it on Scotland (no offence i highly respect the Scots!!!) We can go all the way to the Euro's 2006 & bring the cup home-to Dublin. Good luck & hope you have a speedy recovery!! Best Wishes & God bless, Loadsa Love Sarah(Louth) xXxXxXxXx

Chris Power says: keane u r a god at spurs, u r definatly the best player we have signed in ages. U R DA MAN. If you read this please send me an email

Tommy says: I wallpapered the lads house five years ago and might I say what a grand lad he has turned out to be.The best cuppa ive ever had,and the craics not so bad either!Take care from tommy.

JasonT says: To hell with you all who say that Robbie is the best Irish player. I bet Roy Keane is better. Yes Robbie has talent, but he is no-where near to be compared to the likes of Baggio,Ronaldo, Pele, Cryff or DiStefano. Even Vanistiloij is better at the moment or even Owen. Face it, Ronaldo by the age 20 he had won the best player of the year award and had been the topgoal scorer in his league, the Dutch league. But Robbie has not even been topscorer in the Irish team for God's sake. Please ya all shut your asses up before you spit out your shit. Even the whole of America knows that!

Sarah says: Jason T your askin 4 it now!! roykeane,baggio,ronaldo,pele,cryff,distefano,owen?????? Ha don't make me laugh!! They don't even deserve a capital letter at the start of their name let a loan a title like that!! Robbie is 22 stil a young chap Niall Quinn has da latest Irish record and he was 36 years of age when he left the squad and I'll tell you 1 thing if you know anything about football you'll know he's not too far behind da mighty Quinn-with all respect to Quinn!! who's Spurs top goal scorer this season???Ah yea what a cowinsidence it's ROBBIE KEANE!!!!! Get my point yet??? I'd say so.. I could go on for another hour or 2 but I won't waste my breath on you!! Go on Robs show him what da irish are made of I didn't let him off handy why should you!?!?!? Good luck Robs see you on wed at lansdowne,, Sarah xxxxxx

sean dublin says: robbie keane is a quality player who does not get the credit he deserves and after a great move to spurs and a great world cup and an amazing solo goal against leeds he is once again proving that leeds have made another mistake by letting him go just like cantona,KEANO YOUR GOD AND WE ALL LOOK UP TO YOU HERE IN DUBLIN 12.You are an insprition to kids in crumlin and they all know that they can achieve what you have by having a good attitude,been class and having a smart head,keep on doing crumlin united proud

sharon says: Sarah, i couldnt have put it better myself!!! Go girl! Robbie and duffer are the 2 best players for Ireland! they always play there best, Jason T if roy is so good then why did he walkout on his country? any other player would have the decency not to do that! He thinks he's god when in fact he's far from it

Sharon says: Go Sarah!! Robbie is a brilliant player! he is really talented and he's really friendly and down-to-earth! roy keane is no-where as near as good as Robbie. maybe you dont agree but at least Robbie doesnt walk out on his country at a time where they needed him the most unlike a certain roy! who ruined colin healys chances of playin in the world cup. Sean from dublin is dead right. Robbie is a quality player and has a good attitude. I'm proud to say that he plays for the best team, Ireland

Roisin and Aoife say: Hi Sharon! No offence but Roy Keane is savage! and Mick McCarthy is a spa for sending him home so he had no choice about going home! Sharon, Robbie Keane is a savage footballer but he tries to do to much of it himself, sorry Shar but he does!

Sarah says: Good man sean!!!!

Sharon says: yeah, i know he doesnt pass the ball as much as he could, but he's still a great player, and Roy Keane said first that he was leaving when they were in Saipan, then he said he'd stay, then Mick McCarthy told him to go, If you read the world cup book, you'll also see that the players were happy bout that cos on Roy's seat in the bus they put a sign on the seat saying R.I.P.

Sarah says: aaaahhhaaaaa!really i didn't no dat RIP in da seat i'm in bits laughin here aahh dats a good one!!!!! Roisin,Aoife eh no sorry i don't agree at all!!!!

Sharon says: Thanks Sarah! At least someone agrees with me! Everyone else seems to stick up for roy, You should read the world cup book its really good and it proves that all the players were happy bout roy leavin except ian harte, in roy's interview he said that ian was the only one who wanted him to stay cos he went to roys room and said bye and when niall quinn said that the players have to stick together ian was the only one that didnt clap. Sarah, what you think of Shay Given?? Check out www.shay-given.com its the official site and Shay's brother Kieran set it up

Ian says: robbie kean is a good striker for spurs and always will be untill he leaves

Lill (London) says: Robbie Keane is THE god at spurs. I am a huge spurs supporter and think the future is promising with you in the squad. Hopelfully Hoddle (the other God) will bring in some other players to help u onto more greatness. ps i saw u against everton at the lane. u were ace it was robbie keane against everton casue the rest of the team did nothing.

sarah christian says: i think you are the best player on pitch because you always score!

jimmy gray says: i think your the best player in the world i think lufc see should of kept u and played u with smithy all the time i hope leeds bye u again off tottnem u are a big loss since u left keep the good work i know uwill your biggest fan jimmy.

Vale (from Milan) says: Robs is the best player around (alongs with Duffer of course)and ive been his fan since he was at inter. The first time ive ever been to see a match at a stadium was last summer in Lansdowne Rd against the Aussies and twas bad that Robbie had to leave the pitch like that but i enjoed every single min of his game!he is the best and i agree with Sarah!

Jayne Massey says: I do Robbie Keane's unofficial website and I just want to give it a quick plug! www.robbiekeane.net Please visit my site!!

Sarah xxx says: I set up a website about Robbie Keane a while ago with all the latest news and pictures! Please come and visit and also join the forum! www.robbiekeane.tk

Matt McGinnity says: i live in America so not alot of people know Robie Kean. but i'll tell u 1 thing hes my favorite play in the world and i would be so honnerd to se him play

jamie says: robbie could you email me back and answer what team do you surport p.s i support spurs

chaz says: i saw robbie keane with his family at chitty chitty bang bang and have got a ticket signed by him i am willing to sell