Shay Given has paid tribute to Robbie Keane’s ‘amazing career’ after the Dubliner officially confirmed that he has retired from playing.
Keane was confirmed on Sunday as being part of the backroom team of new Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy.
Keane is Ireland’s record goalscorer with 68 goals in 146 caps.
In a club career that spanned spells at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Coventry City, Inter Milan, Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Celtic, West Ham, LA Galaxy, Aston Villa and ATK, Keane netted 325 times in 737 games.
“From Crumlin United around the world to the likes of Milan, London and Los Angeles, I could never have imagined the path my football life would take,” Keane said in a statement.
“It has exceeded all the hopes I had as a football-mad boy growing up in Dublin.
“Leaving home at 15 years of age to pursue my professional career in England seems a lifetime ago now. I was a street footballer full of hope armed with huge ambitions and a determination to succeed. All I needed was that one chance.”
Given played at the 2002 World Cup with Keane and the pair were together for Euro 2012 and Euro 2016.
Given and Keane have 280 caps between them.
The Lifford man wrote on Instagram: Congrats on an amazing career @robbiekeane for both club and country, It was an honour and a delight to share the pitch with you so many times. What a player/captain and friend, Enjoy your retirement Whack and good luck with the new role”
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