Leeds win Robbie race - December 21, 2000
Leeds United have shown their intent to be challengers for honours by convincing Ireland international striker Robbie Keane to join the club on loan until the end of the season.
Keane signed for Inter Milan from Coventry during the close season but has since found it hard to hold down a place in the struggling Serie A team. English clubs took notice of this and started to undermine his position in Italy by making repeated requests about him.
The Dubliner always said that he was happy in Italy and wanted to stay there to win a first-team place with Inter and he knocked back offers from West Ham and Chelsea.
But when Leeds made it known that they were interested in bringing him to Elland Road his mood changed because of the huge Irish contingent at the club and it was only a matter of time before David O'Leary got his man.
Leeds have decided to take Robbie on loan until the end of the season with a view to signing him permanently next summer for £12m.
Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale said: "As a plc, we have a duty to our shareholders to ensure that we manage our resources with maximum efficiency.
"After the £18m signing of Rio Ferdinand, we felt it imprudent to spend another £12m immediately - but by structuring a loan formula we have the player we want now without impacting on our financial position.
"We thank Inter Milan for their co-operation in this matter - there was a huge amount of interest in Robbie and it is to their credit that they asked him as to his preference and we are delighted he chose Leeds."
Robbie will fly into Yorkshire today for a medical and could well come into contention for a place in the Leeds side to face Aston Villa this weekend at Elland Road.