CARSON, Calif. -- It was with a grain of salt that LA Galaxy players took this week's signing of Irish international Robbie Keane. They've simply grown used to such stunning theatrics.
It was just days before the start of the 2005 season when they acquired Landon Donovan. Two years later, David Beckham signed on the dotted line. So it shouldn't have come as much of a shock when the 31-year-old Keane, the all-time leading goal scorer for Ireland's national team and tied for 10th all-time in goals scored in England's Premier League, decided to continue his career stateside.
It was pretty much business as usual in these parts.
Robbie Keane Press Conference
"No, this is the Galaxy," goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts said with a laugh when asked if he was surprised at the move. "I think if they want somebody they go after them.
"When they sign players, it's not a surprise."
Keane, who will wear the No. 14 shirt for the Galaxy, is expected to be available for Saturday's MLS regular season game against the San Jose Earthquakes at The Home Depot Center. He scored 123 goals in the Premier League, having played for the likes of Coventry City, Leeds United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham, and has also played for Inter Milan and on loan with Celtic in Scotland. He has scored more than 250 goals for club and country in a career that started when he was a 17-year-old with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1997.
He worked out with his new team for the first time on Friday and quickly left a good impression. Veteran Galaxy defender Gregg Berhalter, who said he faced Keane twice during his international career, said it was "good to see him on the field and up close."
"You obviously see that he has quality," Berhalter said. "Everyone knows his track record, and everyone knows how good he is. Coming in, he's probably one of the better finishers in the league right away."
The guy has a proven track record of scoring goals.
"When I faced him, you kind of felt if he got a chance he was going to finish. You didn't want to give him any kind of space to get a shot on goal."
Fellow Galaxy defender Todd Dunivant said Keane's arrival at a highly successful club that leads MLS in points and victories will work in his favor.
"The biggest thing is we're not relying on him to do everything for us," he said. "We're used to having big-name guys in, and we have a good team already. He's going to fit right into that.
Who should partner with Robbie Keane up front for LA?
"Adding him just complements [what we already have] and adds to it, and hopefully he can find comfort in that in knowing he doesn't have to do everything."
The beneficiary of all this was Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena, who still can't seem to stop smiling about the team's latest personnel move.
"I think Robbie is a fabulous addition to our team," he said. "He's a player with a proven goal-scoring record, he loves to play and is a first-class person off the field. And I know he wants to be here.
"That's a combination that's not only going to spell success for Robbie but the LA Galaxy."
Donovan said the thrill of having Keane as a teammate hasn't worn off for himself or his teammates.
"I think from a player's standpoint and fans, too, this is a really exciting day for us," he said. "I followed Robbie when I was younger, and we've all followed his career. He's an impressive player and I think he's going to fit in really well with this team. When you bring in a player from overseas, that's half the battle, how he fits in with your team.
"I can tell already he's going to be a great addition."
Beckham said he never was concerned with how Keane would adjust to his new surroundings and a new league.
"Everybody knows about his goal-scoring ability," he said, "but he's a great teammate to have. He works hard and everyone loves the Irish."
PHOTOS: Keane trains with LA Galaxy
