15/12/2005

Keane signs for Celtic

Ending weeks of speculation, Roy Keane has moved to Scotland to sign for an 18-month stint with Celtic.

The 34-year-old midfielder, who parted with Manchester United in November, is understood to have been courted by several Premiership clubs, but Celtic stepped in with a bid thought to be in the region of £40,000-a-week, of which majority shareholder Dermot Desmond is reportedly paying half.

Keane, a Celtic fan, is likely to make his debut for the Hoops in the New Year in the match against Clyde in the Scottish Cup third round.

The club have confirmed that the deal will see Keane at Celtic park "initially" until 2007.

The outspoken Irishman split from Manchester United following criticism of fellow players in a Manchester United TV channel programme that was pulled from the schedule.

Premiership clubs Bolton and Everton were reported to have expressed an interest in the mercurial midfielder, as had West Brom and West Ham.

However, interest has now turned to where Keane will play in the Celtic line-up, as former Northern Ireland International player Neil Lennon, the Celtic captain, has been playing well.

(SP/KMcA)

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