Leeds buy Keane from Inter outright

Leeds United have completed the signing of Republic of Ireland international striker Robbie Keane from Internazionale.

Keane was loaned to the Champions League contenders last year after only four months with the Milan club and now he is to have a permanent deal to stay with Leeds.

Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale has confirmed the move today:

"The funds are in place and are part of a three-year deal. The deal to make Robbie's transfer permanent has been agreed with Inter. The money for the transfer fee of £11 million has already been covered by guarantee. This means that we are not trying to sell players in the summer merely to find the money to pay for Robbie Keane, because that deal is done and, with it being a foreign transfer, we can pay the balance over a three-and-a-half year period."

Former Coventry star Keane is rated as one of the best young forwards in the Premiership and his short time in Italy did nothing to damage the reputation he has as a finisher in the Premiership.

He is set to start for Ireland tonight against Andorra in their 2002 World Cup qualifier in Dublin and will be part of the Leeds squad to host Chelsea on Saturday morning.

Inter paid Coventry £13 million for Keane who was given a five year contract but the sacking of coach Marcello Lippi just two months after the player's arrival in Italy. The decision to keep Keane could see Leeds off load striker Michael Bridges with Newcastle interested in the former Sunderland player.