CARSON, Calif. – The Robbie Keane era in Los Angeles has officially come to a close.
The Galaxy announced on Thursday that Keane will be departing the club at the conclusion of his contract at the end of the year. Keane exits after winning three MLS Cups, earning an MLS MVP, and scoring over 104 goals across all competitions for the club.
“I think there are very few players in the history of our league that have contributed to a club as Robbie has. Our hat’s off to Robbie,” Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena said. “Six unbelievable years, three championships... He’s been a good leader; I think he’s embraced the league, which you don’t sometimes get with international players.”
Added club president Chris Klein, “It’s difficult, to sum up what Robbie has meant to this club. He’s quite possible one of the best players to play in our league, and he’ll certainly go down as one of the legends of our club. … We’re going to miss him.”
Perhaps the most telling praise came from Landon Donovan, who was Keane’s teammates for three MLS Cup victories. From the moment that Keane stepped on the field in August 2011, the Irishman and the Redlands native forged one of the greatest attacking partnerships that the league has ever seen.
“From the minute that he stepped through the door we knew we’d hit a home run,” Donovan said. “In training, it was obvious with the way he played, but we didn’t know what we were going to get as far as his desire to win and compete. And when that part was evident I think we knew it was a matter of time until we had championships. And he’s been fantastic.
“I would have never imagined that someone of his pedigree, quality and playing with the clubs he’s played at would come here with the intention to do things the right way. He could have come here, gone on vacation and taken it easy. But he’s not built that way. He was fantastic from day one, and we’ll see what happens, but he’s been a joy for me to play with.”
But among all the greats that Donovan played with for club and country, the Galaxy legend admits that his connection with Keane was the deepest.
“I’ve had players that you bond with for whatever reason. But as far as on the field the way that we played complemented each other so well. For me in my career he was the most enjoyable player to play with on the field,” Donovan said. “I knew that we were always a few seconds from something special.”
Although the Keane era is over, Arena says that the Irishman's place in club lore is forever secure.
“Without a doubt, if it is 20 years from now, people are going to talk about the great stars of the LA Galaxy, and Robbie is going to be right on top, Arena said. “The LA Galaxy and our fans are indebted to the contributions that Robbie has given to us."
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atwww.LAGalaxy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
