Ireland striker Keane revels in Liverpool transfer

Robbie Keane hailed his arrival at Anfield as the start of a “new chapter in my life” as he was unveiled as a Liverpool player on Tuesday.

The Republic of Ireland international has completed a 20.3 million pound (40.6 million dollar) four-year move from Tottenham to join the club he has supported all his life.

The 28-year-old, who will now wear the number seven shirt made famous by legends like Kenny Dalglish and Kevin Keegan, will make his debut Wednesday in a friendly away to Villarreal.

“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,” said Keane.

“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.

“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 want to do everything I can to make them even more successful.”

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy was far from happy at the way in which Liverpool had signed up his club captain.

But Keane said: “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.”

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,” said Keane.

“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.

“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.”