91�ȱ�

Aston Villa have signed Los Angeles Galaxy and Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane on loan until 25 February, subject to Fifa clearance.

"This is only short term, of course," said the much-travelled ex-Coventry, Leeds, Spurs and Liverpool striker.

"But there has been a lot of speculation over the years linking my name to Villa and, finally, I'm here."

Keane, 31, who has already been training with Villa, could make his debut at home to Everton on Saturday.

Dubliner Keane, who started his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers as a 17-year-old, admitted: "I'm delighted to be back in the Premier League.

"I'm excited about it and I know I'll really enjoy my time here. It's only for two months, but I will do my absolute best.

"Villa are a great club, a club with a massive tradition and standing in the game. Villa Park is one of the finest stadiums I've ever played in.

"I've been training with the players here for the past few days and it's been great but I'm not naive enough to think I'll just walk straight into the team."

The Republic of Ireland striker came close to joining Villa in 1999 from Wolves, only for a late hitch over the transfer fee allowing Coventry to sign him instead.

It is also a case of second time lucky for McLeish regarding the capture of Keane.

McLeish was hopeful of signing Keane 12 months ago, when in charge of Birmingham City, who announced that they had agreed a £6m fee with Tottenham. But the player instead went on loan to West Ham before leaving White Hart Lane for the United States last summer.

"We have been pursuing Robbie to bring him in with his extra experience," said the Villa boss.

"Robbie is a guy who is going to be playing in a huge tournament at the end of the season.

"I'm sure he will not want to let his standards drop at this stage of his career.

"We should have a massively motivated boy on our hands."

McLeish considers Keane's arrival a timely boost, considering the way their squad has been tested.

"I believe we could be doing with that when you see one or two of our players getting injured over the last couple of weeks," he said. "We've got young kids trying to prove themselves in the Premier League but it's very scatter-gun the experience they are getting with 10 minutes here, 15 minutes there."

Villa received the final paperwork from LA Galaxy during the early hours of Thursday morning, and he now faces an instant reunion with Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan, who has linked up with Everton for a second loan period, at Villa Park on Saturday.

Villa's record signing Darren Bent, who played alongside Keane at Tottenham, added: "It's a top signing, a really clever move.

"In training, Robbie has looked razor sharp and up for the challenge. He's a great player and he has been for many years.

"He will help all the other strikers here but, more importantly, he will help Villa. He will bring experience, which will aid a few of the younger lads who are breaking through into the team and the other youngsters in and around the place."