Keane Confirms Professional Retirement

Exit a Legend
By Chris O'Brien
June 12 2006

At the age of 34, Roy Keane has announced his retirement from the professional game. The Glasgow Celtic midfielder spent 12 superb years at Old Trafford, helping the club secure seven league titles and four F.A Cups. He will forever be remembered as a Manchester United legend.

Roy Keane has announced his immediate retirement from the professional game.

The Celtic midfielder, who spent over 12 years at Old Trafford, has decided to hang up his boots as he continues to struggle with a hip problem in addition to feeling the strain of commuting weekly from the North West to Glasgow.

"Having received advice from my surgeon and the Celtic doctor, my only option is to retire." said the former Nottingham Forest star, who joined United in 1993 for a then British record fee of £3.75million.

In the modern-era, the term "legend" is used far too much. However, Keane comfortably fits into this category and will forever go down in United folklore alongside other club greats such as Billy Meredith, Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best and Eric Cantona. His tenacious and battling style terrorised fellow midfielders across Europe and United owe much of their recent success to his endeavour.

"Roy Keane is one of the greatest-ever players to grace the game of football. It was fantastic that we were able to bring him to Celtic and it has been a privilege to work with him." said Bhoys boss Gordon Strachan, who signed the 34-year-old after his shock departure from Old Trafford back in November.

Keane was also a hero on the international stage. The Cork-born star registered some 66 caps for the Republic of Ireland, notching up nine goals in the process. In a career of controversies, he famously walked-out on his country's 2002 World Cup campaign following a spat with manager Mick McCarthy, however he made a brief return to the green jersey under Brian Kerr and will always remain a superstar across the Emerald Isle.

Keano, perhaps fittingly, played his last ever game at Old Trafford as he enjoyed his testimonial at Old Trafford. Cristiano Ronaldo netted the only goal of the game, but the result was not important as a packed Theatre of Dreams paid tribute to the former Red Devils skipper. During his tenure with United, he won seven Premiership titles, four F.A Cups, an Intercontinental Cup and a Champions League crown, registering some 481 appearances and scoring 51 goals.

Happy retirement to a true legend of MUFC. A career in management may well await.
"Keano, there's only one Keano."