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Keane back at Spurs
3 Feb 2009
Robbie Keane has completed his sensational return to Tottenham after six months at Liverpool - making him the third player Harry Redknapp has brought back to White Hart Lane in this transfer window.
Keane, following Jermain Defoe and Pascal Chimbonda as players rejoining Spurs, left for Anfield in the summer but has paid the price for failing to fit into the plans of boss Rafael Benitez.
The 28-year-old striker travelled to London today to agree personal terms and complete a medical.
"It was a difficult decision to make to leave Tottenham in the summer," Keane said. "It proved not to be the right move for me.
"I know some Spurs fans will feel I let them down by leaving but I can assure them I shall be giving my all for this club - this club has terrific fans and I want to repay them for all their support. We've got to get on and fight our way up that league table."
After seven goals this season, Benitez left his £20.3million forward out of the squads to face Everton in the FA Cup and Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League at the weekend, preferring French youngster David Ngog on the bench.
Spurs boss Redknapp had stated his admiration for Keane, setting the wheels in motion for one of the most dramatic and swift returns.
Liverpool were unhappy with Redknapp's comments, while Spurs chairman Daniel Levy had been upset by Keane demanding a transfer last summer - but a deal was pushed through to get the Republic of Ireland captain back.
Levy added: "We never wanted Robbie to leave in the summer, we acknowledged the six years dedicated service he gave this club and reluctantly let him go.
"I am delighted that he has chosen to return to us. We can all recall the passion and fight he displayed during his previous seasons with us. I know he is determined to give us his full commitment."
Keane's debut is expected to be this weekend in the derby against neighbours Arsenal, although he is cup-tied for the Carling Cup final against Manchester United next month.
An advantage for the north London club in the negotiations was that Liverpool had not paid Keane's fee in full, meaning Spurs could write off what they were owed as part of the structure of the new deal.
With the value of the deal around £15million, Redknapp's spending since arriving at the end of October is close to the £50million mark, with Wilson Palacios, Defoe and Chimbonda. Carlo Cudicini has also arrived on a free transfer.
Giovani dos Santos was set to join Portsmouth but a move to Fratton Park fell through.
Spurs' bolstered squad will now attempt to climb from 14th place in the league. They have not been helped by losing to late goals in their last four away games.
"You look back at the four away games and think 'that's an extra four points we could have on our total' and how different it might all look," said defender Michael Dawson.
"Any defeat is difficult but the way we've lost those four games has been particularly hard to take."
Reader views (16)
Rob, my friend, look at 1 situation, how much would it cost Spurs if they got relegated?
We should not have got rid of Defoe,Keane and Chimbonda, these guys won't take long to settle as they all have houses in the area.. Chimbonda, was involved in 2 goals against Bolton...
SHame Harry forgot Malbranque! We sold the base of our team!
- Adrian, london, 03/02/2009 15:50
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as the move to his BOYHOOD club never worked out 4 the GJ how long will it be till he's off to his other BOYHOOD club celtic.
- Steve, braintree, 03/02/2009 15:22
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"Well, people will say I turned the boys head saying I wanted him here, but I don't know about that. I mean all I did was talk about the players I'd like to see at this club, if I upset other managers it wasn't my intention, I never talk about other clubs players"
H Redknapp, 20 minutes ago
- Joe Chapman, Romford, 03/02/2009 13:27
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Just get Spurs beating the Arsenal 5-1 ans Spammers 4-0 again!!!
- Philip The Spur, Ware Herts, 03/02/2009 13:20
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Resigning Defoe cost us a reported £9 million, Chimbonda £3m & now Keane £15 million. Isnt it time for Daniel Levy to go? Signing players for absurd amounts, Bentley £15 rising to £18 million (with half going to Arsenal!), Modric £16.5 million, Palacios £14 million, Bent £16.5 million, Bale £10 million, Pavlychenko £12 million, Gomes £8.5 million & Hutton £10 million. We were on the brink of breaking into the top 4 under Martin Jol & now look at us!
- Rob Hotspurs, South London, 03/02/2009 13:08
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Monty,
Why exactly do Spurs belong at the top of the Premiership?
Your two 5th place finishes aside, you've not really spent that much time up there.
Or as with most Spurs fans, are you including the last 50 years of your history?
- Rob, London, 03/02/2009 12:34
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"Back to the top where Tottenham belong".
Cloud cuckoo land, one and all.
- Stu, Beckton, 03/02/2009 12:19
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Just get Tottenham out of the bottleneck of clubs in the mid to low region of the Premier and back at the top where Tottenham belong.
- Monty, Widemouth Bay, Cornwall, 03/02/2009 09:08
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Enjoy the moment Robbie, but no signings on the left side of midfield or at centre half (has Harry finally lost the plot) means Championship football for Spurs.
- Ted, London, 03/02/2009 08:06
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It's all in the buy back clause in there contracts, easy to get them back. Now Defoe has gone for a month or more Keane was the best choice but the fact still remains, Chimbo is no center back, the left wing is still a sore spot and we are running out of time to fix these major problems. Lets hope Keane can slot in with Pav early and build what he did before with the manure trash. Bent straight swap for Martens? yer I would have done that deal, maybe even swapped him straight for 'arry's' missus and he can do the cooking while she laces them up. We need clean sheets and until we stop the back 4 problems we will always be in trouble, keep the faith it ain't midnight yet.
- Coloney John, Vancouver Canada, 02/02/2009 23:19
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What spurs need at the moment are players who are proud to wear the shirt and Keane has always done that,we have only a handful of players who show that at the moment (Dawson, OHara, Woodgate, Defoe and Ledley of course)so i believe Keane will again benefit Spurs.As to getting rid of Redknapp tosh , he has inherited this squad and is doing the best with what little options he has.
- Sean Finch, Basildon England, 02/02/2009 23:14
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welcome home robbie......
- Muzzi, mauritius, 02/02/2009 19:14
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And yet another mercenary rejoins Spurs with his tail between his legs.....!
- Mr Burgoyne, Addlestone, UK, 02/02/2009 19:13
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As a spurs fan I didnt really want Keane back cause we already have Defoe who is a better player and wants too be at the club, but anyway I will get behind him and give him a go. The reason he was not a sucess at Liverpool was because he is a player with flair and skill not a Liverpool player who are the borning(and lucky) team in the league. On another note I want Redknapp and Levy out they don't know want they are doing we needed a new left winger and left back in this window and we made no signs too sign either. One thing Levy can do is go crawling to Hamburg and beg Martin Jol to come back
- Matt, Deal, 02/02/2009 18:08
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This is Liverpool's loss. Keane is an outstanding striker and professional who was never given a proper chance at Anfield. He will thrive back at Spurs.
- Jack, London, 02/02/2009 18:05
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ROBBIE KEANE HAD A TERRIBLE TIME AT LIVERPOOL. THEY SPENT 20K AND DIDNT RESPECT HIM .HE MUST REALLY BE GLAD HE IS BACK IN london , IF THE REFEREE AND TORRES DIDNT GET LIVERPOOL OUT OF TROUBLE THEY WOULD NOT HAVE 3 POINTS. against Chelsea, I DONT THINK BERNITEZ IS THE RIGHT PERSON TO CATCH UP MANUTD AND WIN TROPHIES I AM GLAD KEANE IS BACK AT spurs
- J Windsor, LONDON ENGLAND, 02/02/2009 18:02
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