Robbie Keane was unveiled today as a new Liverpool player declaring that he had not let Tottenham down by leaving for what is a "new chapter in my life". The Republic of Ireland international has completed a £20.3million (dh148m) move from White Hart Lane to join the club he has supported all his life.
Keane, whose move has been heavily criticised by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, will make his debut today in a friendly at Villarreal. Keane, 28, said: "I do not think I let Spurs down. I had six fantastic seasons there and gave them everything since day one. "I always give everything, and that will never change. The Spurs fans were always magnificent to me and I will always have a place in my heart for them.
"But this is a new chapter in my life and one that I am looking forward to. "I had six great years at Spurs and thank them for that. There are players leaving Spurs, but there are also good players coming in. I can only focus on Robbie Keane and what is good for me." Keane will now wear the number seven shirt at Liverpool made famous by legends like Kenny Dalglish and Kevin Keegan. Keane said: "To wear that shirt is an honour, and something I truly understand. If I can have half as much success in it as Keegan and Dalglish did, I will be a happy man. I've been waiting for this day since I was a kid. Everyone knows I am a massive Liverpool fan, so to be sitting here today in a Liverpool tracksuit is a dream come true.
"I always wanted to be a footballer as a kid, but also to play for Liverpool. "Maybe you never feel it is going to happen. I could have come here as a teenager, but chose Wolves because I felt there would be more chance of immediate first team football, and that proved to be the case. "Now I am enjoying every minute and I can't wait to pull on that red shirt. "This is a massive club and I want to do everything I can to make them even more successful. The reasons I left Spurs are that I am a huge Liverpool fan and the chance to play for them may never come around again.
"This opportunity is something I couldn't let go. I am at an age now when I believe I am at my peak, and aim to kick on. "This is a great opportunity now for me, the whole package that Liverpool has to offer really inspires me. "I am just grateful to be here. I love the club and this is the one dream I had still achieve." * PA Sport
