Football: Robbie Keane ends his career after 23 years

Irish footballer Robbie Keane has declared his professional career after 23 years. The 38-year-old, who scored for his country for the first time in 1998, is by far the most successful striker in his country. In 146 games for Ireland, he scored 68 goals, which corresponds to a rate of 0.47 touches per game.

"Today, after 23 wonderful years, I officially announce my retirement as a professional footballer," Keane wrote in a statement.

At the club level, Keane was one of the big stars. During his long career he has played for Inter Milan, Leeds United, Celtic Glasgow and Liverpool. He lived his greatest experience in Tottenham Hotspur. He scored 91 of his 126 Premier League goals for the club. However, he was denied a major title.

Even German football fans will remember the Irish international record. At the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, he tied against the DFB-Elf in the second minute of the time off. Then Keane was named player of the match. Ireland was eliminated in the second round against Spain on penalties.

Keane joined in 2011 the American professional league MLS. At LA Galaxy, he is after the great American star Landon Donovan with 105 goals, the second most successful player of the club. More recently, Keane has played in India at Kolkata's Atletico.

In the future, he will serve as badistant to the new Irish team leader, Mick McCarthy. He succeeds Roy Keane, who was to join former Irish head coach Martin O'Neill.