Tears for Keano

Yesterday, it was confirmed that Spurs legend Robbie Keane had completed a transfer to Liverpool for £20.3m. It had been rumoured for a while that Liverpool had made advances and that if a bid was made, Keane would accept as they were the team he supported as a child. It was a shock that he would even contemplate leaving as he's been a loyal player for the past six years and it seemed that he would be there for the rest of his career, as he'd hinted previously. He had, as us fans says, Lillywhite blood running through his veins and no-one could see him playing for any other team. Always the fans' favourite, the chant 'there's only one Keano' would be sang at every single game.

When I heard on the radio yesterday morning that he was going for his medical at Anfield, that's pretty much a done deal so I was absolutely shell shocked. I felt tears welling up and the terrible sinking feeling you get when you get bad news. I know on the scheme of things, in reality, it's only football (a game!) but Spurs is a huge part of my life and this was the worst news possible, jointly with the expectation before the transfer window ends, that Berbatov will also leave. One of them going is enough to bear but both strikers is agony, as they are my all-time favourite players.

When the news was confirmed of Keane's departure and I read his statement on the internet last night, the floodgates opened. I've never cried for a player before (although I did shed tears when manager Martin Jol was sacked unceremoniously last year). Here' what he said:

"I would like to place on record my thanks to the board, players and fans of Tottenham for the past six years, which were the best and most enjoyable of my career to date."

"I will never forget them. I would specifically like to thank chairman Daniel Levy for understanding, that, as a fan, joining Liverpool is a lifelong dream of mine and one I couldn't let pass me by.

"I hope one day the Spurs fans, who have been brilliant to me, can understand this too.

"I have only good things to say about my time at Tottenham and expect them to go from strength to strength under Juande Ramos and Daniel Levy."

I've just watched his press conference and oh God, the blubbling has started again. What a baby I am. What can I say? I love Robbie; I will never forget the good times he brought to the Lane, his brilliant goal tally, his loyalty (because 6 years in this day and age is a long time), and his unique charisma. I will look back with pride that he played for my beloved team.

I wish him good luck and happiness at Liverpool and thank heaven that he didn't sign for one of the scum teams. He will most certainly get applauded by the fans when he comes back to the Lane in his red shirt.

"There's only one Keano"!