CARSON, Calif. – Robbie Keane could not hide his excitement on Wednesday at the announcement of the LA Galaxy’s signing of Mexican international Giovani dos Santos.
Once Dos Santos arrived to Tottenham from FC Barcelona, Keane took an express interest in mentoring the young Mexican star. Whether it was providing him tips on the training or helping teach him English, Keane did all that he could to help the midfielder succeed across the pond.
Reunited with Dos Santos in Los Angeles, Keane believes that the 26-year-old Mexican international can do wonders with Galaxy.
“He’s a great guy. He was a young kid when he came to Tottenham … but every time that he trained you could see what a player that he was, and a good kid in the dressing room. I’m very excited to have him here,” Keane said. “We had a good relationship when he came to Tottenham. He came to Tottenham as a young kid who couldn’t’ speak English so I made sure that he was looked after.
“I looked after him when he came over, and we’d stayed in contact since. He’s here to win. He wants to make sure that he takes the Galaxy to the next level.”
Since his time at Tottenham came to a close, Dos Santos’ career has only gone on the upswing with the attacker helping Mexico win the Gold Medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games. In nearly three years in Spain, with stops at Mallorca and Villarreal, he scored 29 goals and notched 22 assists.
As instrumental as Keane was to Dos Santos’ transition in England nearly a decade ago, the Galaxy captain is adamant that the 26-year-old has matured from the teenager that arrived at White Hart Lane way back in 2008.
“He’s matured a lot as a player. I’ve been watching a lot of his games. Last year, he was one of the best players in La Liga, he’s certainly matured. He’s at an age where he’s coming into his peak,” said Keane who added that he has been in communication with Dos Santos almost daily. “He’s got everything, he can do everything. He’s matured as a person; he’s not coming here to be living in LA. He’s coming here because he wants to win.”
But what will the Mexican international with over 80 caps for El Tri provide on the field for the Galaxy?
Quite simply according to Keane, he can offer “everything.”
“He can play left, he can play right, he can play up front and he can play as a number 10. He’s very skillful, and he’s basically got it all. I’m delighted that he’s got it all,” Keane said. “I think that he’s going to be a superstar in this league. There’s no question about it. He has the right mentality, he has the flair, and I’m sure that Galaxy fans are going to be excited to see him play.”
Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena agreed, “He’s a good creative attacking player who can play as a forward and a midfielder. He’s good at going by people with the ball, he can finish he can score goals. He’s a good creative attacking player that we can utilize.”
Dos Santos’ qualities will only add to a Galaxy squad that already boasts Keane, new English Designated Player Steven Gerrard, USMNT striker Gyasi Zardes, and former U.S. youth international Sebastian Lletget among others.
With Dos Santos scheduled to arrive at the conclusion of Mexico’s CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign, the Galaxy captain is licking his chops at the attack that the defending MLS Cup champions will boast down the stretch run.
“It’s certainly looking like exciting times for the Galaxy,” Keane said. “I think that everyone is looking forward to getting the group on the field and developing chemistry.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
