Robbie Keane factfile

Caption competition
Caption competition
View past winners of our Sports caption competition
News in pictures
News in pictures
On Facebook
Sport blogs

Financial strife fails to dim smiles at high-flying Rayo Vallecano

This is a club that, despite all it's off-the-field financial problems, is currently flourishing in ...

Hertha Berlin and the Skibbe saga – a depressing tale

Perhaps, in a few decades time, some German writer will transform Michael Skibbe's excruciatingly br...

Top 14: Day of reckoning looms for Racing Metro

By the middle of Wednesday afternoon we should have the first indication of what lies ahead for Raci...

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 £20.3million, signing a four-year contract

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Career Services

Day In a Page

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

After years of complaints and workers' suicides in China the technology giant faces up to the human cost of its gadgets
Peter Moore: 'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'

Peter Moore interview

'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'
Sellafield faces nuclear option as overspending threatens plant's future

Sellafield faces nuclear option

Overspending threatens plant's future
Israel blames Iran for embassy bomb attacks

Israel blames Iran for embassy bomb attacks

Tehran rejects Netanyahu's 'lies' after diplomats in India and Georgia targeted
Former manager enjoying Apoel crack at the big time

Tommy Cassidy interview

Former manager enjoying Apoel crack at the big time
James Lawton: Patience may not be a virtue this time, Roman – Andre Villas-Boas looks all at sea

James Lawton: AVB looks all at sea

Abramovich's visits to training reinforce the idea of a coach feeling pressure from above and below
The 10 Best sledges

The 10 Best sledges

Not all of them require snow...
Procrastination: Not now – I'm busy

Procrastination: Not now – I'm busy

Confronting the real reasons for puttting things off can help us beat it
Fun in the sunset years

Fun in the sunset years

A new movie follows retirees moving to India for low-cost care and a culture of respect for the elderly. For many Britons, it's already a reality
Picture preview: Lucian Freud drawings

Lucian Freud drawings

Picture preview
Silent revolution at the Baftas as the French take top awards

Silent revolution at the Baftas

The Artist wins in seven categories, with Meryl Streep the other big success story
Whitney Houston: The diva who had – and lost – it all

The diva who had – and lost – it all

Nick Hasted charts the highs and lows of Whitney Houston's life
How Picasso won over (some of) the British

How Picasso won over (some of) the British

Winston Churchill and Evelyn Waugh hated his work, but Picasso provided inspiration for a whole generation of UK artists
Topshop: A Decade Of Design

Topshop: A Decade Of Design

When London Fashion Week starts on Friday, Topshop will celebrate 10 years backing its brightest young stars
John Prescott: 'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

At 73, John Prescott isn't mellowing. In fact he's taking a shot at becoming a police commissioner