Keane, Roy Maurice (1971– )

Irish footballer. A dynamic and combative midfield player, he made his full international debut for the Republic of Ireland in 1991. Keane was signed by Nottingham Forest from Cobh Ramblers in 1990. He moved to Manchester United for the 1993–94 season for £3.75 million, and as captain helped the club to win a succession of honours. He led Manchester United to the 2002–03 English Premiership title, their seventh title in ten years. He also won four FA Cups and a European Cup while at the club. He was voted the Republic of Ireland Player of the Year (1997), English Football Writers' Association Player of the Year (2000), and English Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year (2000). He finished his playing career at Glasgow Celtic where he won the League title and the League Cup, before becoming manager of Sunderland in August 2006. They won promotion to the Premier League in his first season.

Career highlights

International appearances (1991–2005) 67 (9 goals)

European Cup 1999

English League Championship 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003

English FA Cup 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004

Scottish League Championship 2006

Scottish League Cup 2006

Intercontinental Cup 1999

Awards

English Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year 2000

English Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year 2000

In November 1999, Keane signed a £50,000 a week contract to stay with Manchester United, which made him the highest-paid player in the Premiership. He was selected for Ireland's 2002 World Cup squad but was sent home days before the start of the tournament after a public dispute with Ireland manager Mick McCarthy. In November 2005 he left Manchester United and agreed terms with Glasgow Celtic a month later.