Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane has agreed terms with the Los Angeles Galaxy and will join the Major League Soccer club from English Premier League club Tottenham once he receives his visa.
A statement issued by the club said Keane, who has scored more than 250 goals for club and country and is the 10th-leading goal scorer in the history of the Premier League, will be one of the Galaxy's designated players -- with the club able to pay him beyond usual salary cap limits.
The Galaxy currently have three designated players, so will have to make a change before adding 31-year-old Keane - who has including loan spells played for eight other clubs - to the squad.
"I am delighted, honored and very excited to be joining the LA Galaxy," Keane said in a statement. "I have always wanted to come and play in MLS so it?s the perfect combination for me and a dream come true."
Keane, capped 110 times but whose one appearance at a major finals was the 2002 World Cup where they reached the last 16, said he had already spoken by phone with Galaxy coach Bruce Arena.
Galaxy's most famous designated player is former England captain David Beckham -- who was the first internationally recognized player to be signed under the designated player regulation sometimes known as the "Beckham Rule".
"When David Beckham came and trained at Spurs recently he couldn't speak highly enough about the Galaxy, their fans and the league in general, so I can?t wait to get over and get started," Keane said.
Source: AFP
