Robbie Keane officially finalised his move from Coventry City to Inter Milan today, after the clubs agreed a fee of 12 million pounds. Keane flew to Milan last night and was joined today by City Chairman Bryan Richardson, who flew in from the United States. Keane met with Inter managing director Gabriele Oriali to negotiate personal terms and the deal was concluded this afternoon. The 20-year-old Republic of Ireland striker has spent only 12 months with Coventry, but used a get out clause in his contract which allows him to speak to any club offering more than £10 million.
News of the deal emerged yesterday when Sky Blues boss Gordon Strachan admitted that Richardson had held talks with Inter. Within hours Inter's bid was accepted. Strachan has admitted he knew nothing about Inter's initial moves for the 20-year-old and that the deal was conducted entirely at boardroom level.
Keane became the most expensive teenager in English football when he signed for Coventry from Wolverhampton Wanderers last August for £6 million. Despite a season hampered by injury, he managed to score twelve Premiership goals. The deal will see Keane become the best paid Irish player ever, with wages in excess of £60,000 a week.
