Liverpool FC

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Reds clinch Keane capture

28 Jul 2008 - 19:05:08

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Liverpool have clinched the £19million signing of Tottenham Hotspur skipper Robbie Keane, who has signed a four-year contract with the Anfield club.

The 28-year-old Irishman had been at White Hart Lane since the summer of 2002, scoring 107 goals in 254 appearances for the north London club.

However, Keane made it known that he wanted a fresh challenge and wanted to play in the Champions League next season, leaving Spurs chairman Daniel Levy very unhappy with the whole deal.

He told his club's official website: "I was incredibly disappointed when I first heard, not only that Liverpool had been working behind the scenes to bring Robbie to Anfield, but that Robbie himself wanted to go and he submitted a transfer request to this effect.

"I have already made my opinion clear on the nature of this transaction. I don't regard it as a transfer deal, that is something which happens between two clubs when they both agree to trade.

"This is very much an enforced sale, for which we have agreed a sum of £19million as compensation, plus a potential further £1.3million in additional compensation."

Keane joined Spurs from Leeds United, having previously played for Coventry City and Wolves, as well as reigning Italian champions Internazionale.

He is also the all-time leading goalscorer for the Republic of Ireland, having netted 33 times in just over 80 international outings.