Defending Indian Super League champions Atletico de Kolkata have signed former Republic of Ireland and Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane for the upcoming season.
Keane, who is Ireland's all-time leading goal scorer (68 goals) and most capped player (146 appearances), has played for numerous clubs in the English Premier League, including Liverpool and Aston Villa. With 126 Premier League goals, he is ranked 13th on the all-time scorers list. Keane's last outing was with the Major League Soccer (MLS) team LA Galaxy, who he joined in 2011.
Keane will join hands with his new coach and former Tottenham teammate Teddy Sheringham as a new-look Kolkata look to win their third ISL title in four years.
"At this stage of my career, the offer to experience a new league and culture in Asia appealed to me. To join the current Indian Super League champions is a great pleasure and through hard work I hope to bring the ATK fans more success and enjoyment over the course of the 2017-18 season," Keane said.
Sheringham, who briefly played alongside Keane in the 2002-03 Premier League season, felt the 37-year-old's "enthralling skills with the ball" and "willingness to take on the opposition" were huge positives for the team.
"I am sure ATK's striking abilities will be bolstered with Robbie in the side. I am sure the young Indian players we have selected from the domestic draft will learn from him about the way he goes about preparing for a major tournament like ISL," he said.