Adelaide United has signed former Chelsea and Melbourne Victory midfielder Joe Keenan on an initial four week contract to cover the loss of injured Nigel Boogaard.
Keenan joins the Reds- player roster, with the club having the option to extend the deal beyond the month-long term.
The 27 year old arrived in Adelaide on Monday night and had his first run with United-s squad on Tuesday morning after just completing a full season with South Melbourne in the Victorian Premier League.
United coach Rini Coolen said Keenan’s would provide a number of positives for the team.
“He-s played in Holland, he-s played in England, he-s got a lot of experience and he can play in several positions,” Coolen said.
“I don-t know him that well at the moment, so that-s the reason that we asked him to come over for at least four weeks, and after that four weeks we can see if he stays on for longer.”
With a decade long professional career to his name, which started at English Premier League giants Chelsea at the age of 16, Keenan is delighted to be back in the professional environment, and to have been invited to join the Reds, albeit temporarily for now.
“I-ve just been playing back in the Victorian Premier League with South Melbourne, and due to a few injuries here an opportunity arose to come out for a four week contract, so I jumped at the chance to get back in the A-League,” Keenan said.
“It all came up quite quickly. The club has got quite a few injuries, they needed some cover and I was grateful to do that…it felt great to be back at a professional club again.”
“All the boys and the staff have been very welcoming, they-ve made me feel part of the squad already which was great.
Renowned for his passing game, ability to play a range of positions and run all day, Keenan believes his body is still up for the rigours of professional football, and he hopes he can help the Reds continue their unbeaten start to the season.
“The aim is to get as much game time as possibly really and success for Adelaide,” Keenan said.
“I-ve had a full season playing, obviously the standard is not the same but I-ve tried to look after myself, old habits die hard, so ten years playing professionally you get yourself fit, and the VPL is a competitive league so I-m match fit.”
The Englishman found the going tough in his one and only Hyundai A-League season with Melbourne Victory in 2007/08, suspension and injury restricting him to 12 appearances before he headed to Scotland.
Keenan, now married to an Australian, returned down under where he later found out his wife was pregnant, and they decided to reside in Melbourne.
Keenan was signed by Chelsea as a 16 year old where he signed a four year contract in 2002, but a broken leg saw him make just one more league match appearance before he was loaned.
“It was along time ago. I was young, I really enjoyed it, it was a great experience to train with the best players and have the best facilities, and I got great education there,” Keenan recalls of his time at Chelsea.
“But it was a long time ago and the club has changed a little bit since I-ve been there with the money that has been pumped into it, but it was great memories.”
