BY ADAM SERRANO
The Los Angeles Galaxy has officially agreed to terms with Ireland international forward Robbie Keane on Monday morning.
The terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but the Dublin native will be added to the club's roster pending the receipt of his P-1 Visa. Keane joins the Galaxy as a designated player, which means that he will be added pending the trade of Juan Pablo Angel.
“I am delighted, honored and very excited to be joining the LA Galaxy, I have always wanted to come and play in MLS so it’s the perfect combination for me and a dream come true," Keane said in a press release.
Keane joins the Galaxy just one day before the team is set to take part in the CONCACAF Champions League group stages. Los Angeles opens the tournament at home against Honduran side Montagua and it is likely that Keane will play a role in the coming matches.
Currently the Galaxy sit in first place in MLS, a full five points ahead of second place FC Dallas.For a team that is focused on lifting the MLS Cup at the Home Depot Center this season, the addition of Keane is immense.
“Robbie Keane will be a great addition to our club. I have followed his career and have always respected his ability as a competitor and a goalscorer,” Galaxy General Manager and Head Coach Bruce Arena said. “I believe that he brings qualities in and around the penalty area that we have been lacking. Hopefully, he will be another piece of the puzzle in our quest for the Supporters’ Shield and an MLS Cup championship as well as to advance to the next round of the CONCACAF Champions League.”
The Irish international arrives in Los Angeles with a high pedigree having scored 250 goals both for club and internationally since the start of his career in 1997.
Keane, who comes to the Galaxy from Tottenham admitted that currently Galaxy midfielder David Beckham convinced him to consider the club while Beckham trained with Spurs in early 2011.
"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," Keane added. "so I can’t wait to get over and get started.”