After the Los Angeles Galaxy announced that Robbie Keane would not be brought back for the 2017 season, Atlanta United has emerged as a possible destination.
According to MLS Transfers, “Atlanta United have offer in on Robbie Keane. No deal signed yet. Atlanta FO told me they won’t be commenting on rumors.” After spending six seasons with the Los Angeles Galaxy, the club announced that he would not be back for the 2017 Major League Soccer season. The Irish forward has made it clear that he wants one more challenge at the club level in his storied career.
Since 2011, Keane has been one of the best strikers in MLS. He has arguably been the best Designated Player in league history with 83 goals in 125 appearances with LA. Although he has been a highly productive player, at 36-years of age, Robbie is nearing the end of his professional career.
After only playing in 17 games in 2016, the Galaxy decided to part ways with the aging forward in hopes of signing a younger and equally skilled player. With him out of contract, Atlanta United have an opportunity to scoop up the Ireland international. While he wouldn’t likely be a cheap option, it would give ATL experience up top as well as a name value signing for the new MLS club.
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Now that Keane has retired from international football, he will be able to focus on his play with whichever club he signs for. Even at his age, Robbie is in great fitness and can still be a productive player when healthy. There aren’t many experienced goalscoring threats out of contract and looking to play in the United States’ top-flight league.
As Atlanta United are set to begin their inaugural season in Major League Soccer in 2017, they must add talent to their squad. They have already signed a few players like Kenwyne Jones, Hector Villalba, and Chris McCann, who is a fellow Irishman, but they still lack a true number nine. Signing Keane would be the answer to that problem and he would also bring a recognizable name to the club which could boost jersey and ticket sales.
Robbie may be nearing the end of his career but getting Atlanta United off the ground and up and running in their first season of play, could be the exact challenge that he is looking for. He is only a year removed from scoring 20 goals in an MLS season and finishing only two short of matching the Golden Boot Award winner that year in Sebastian Giovinco. While it isn’t clear where he will sign, Atlanta United definitely have to be an option on the table.
It will be interesting to see where Keane ends up signing but MLS is likely his first option. Atlanta United seems like it would be a great fit for the former Tottenham Hotspur man. We’ll update when more news becomes available.