Manchester United completely dominated Arsenal in their 1-0 first leg tie, but could United regret only taking a slender one goal advantage to the Emirates next week?

Ferguson went into the first leg of this epic Champions League semi final stating that he didn’t want to concede an away goal, his team achieved that. However considering United’s dominance he will be disappointed to only carry the single goal advantage into round two.

It was John O’Shea in the first-half who managed to get past the splendid Manuel Almunia. The Spanish goalkeeper was responsible for a number of first class stops in the first half, whilst his counterpart Van der Sar was rarely troubled. Almunia and youngster Kieran Gibbs apart, Arsenal looked a shadow of the side that waltzed past Villareal in the quarter finals of this competition.

Wenger put on a brave face after the game and reiterated his belief that the North London team can progress to the final once more.

Wenger:

We still believe we can do it at home and I still believe we can do it next week.

It is down to us to make sure they regret they didn’t.

It will be our biggest win over United if we do it because there is a final at stake.

And when we play at home and know that there is a final at stake we will be up for it.

Is Arsene Wenger playing mind games?

Will Fergie regret those missed opportunities from the first leg?

Let us know your thoughts below.

Topper is a football boot brand that hails from South America. It’s perhaps best known worldwide as the sponsor of the Brazilian national team that played in the World Cup in 1982 - think Sócrates, Zico, Falcão and Junior.

Nowadays Topper is the official sponsor of the six times world futsal champions Brazil, a team where every player wears the same Topper futsal shoe. But we are here to tell you about their football boot, not their futsal credentials.

Topper Football Boots

The top of the range football boot from Topper in 2009 is the One Professional, developed by the South American brand for both professional and serious amateur players.

It’s made from an impermeable K Leather that moulds to your foot, features a high degree of elasticity, and should be very comfortable.

The outsole features a moulded stud, designed to help your traction and balance on the most irregular of surfaces, no doubt typical in Brazil.

A Dynatech shock absorbing module runs along the sole and into the heel, which again assists your balance on the turf whilst protecting the heel area.

The One Professional football boot was developed by the players; Jorge Wagner (Sao Paulo and former Sevilla), Ibison (Flamengo) and Marcos (Palmeiras) the former world cup winning goalkeeper with Brazil in 2002.

To follow in the steps of this pro line football boot, Topper will be launching a polyurethane model, know simply as “The One”.

Price: Approx. £90

Availability: Now, 2009

Colours: White / Black and Yellow / Black

Weight: 300g

48%

Reviews Counted: 93

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PFA Awards

Ryan Giggs is a sensational player and has been an incredible servant to Manchester United for nearly 20 years as a 1st team player. He lets his feet do the talking on the pitch and he rarely puts a foot wrong in his life away from the game. However, he should not be the PFA Player of the Year. This is nothing against Giggs but rather the antiquated voting system used by the PFA. Surely in this electronic age, a new arrangement could be employed where members vote on a near season long campaign as opposed to just a few months of performance as they do now. How were they to know, for instance, that even in late April, Giggs would have only started a dozen or so Premier League games. That’s just not enough to win this particular accolade. Perhaps Gordon Taylor, the UK’s highest paid union official, should drag his organisation out of the dark ages and insist upon a more contemporary voting scheme. Perhaps he could use that fancy, new fangled, computer thingy called…..email. Or is the only electronic message he cares about the one that tells him that his enormous monthly pay-check has been deposited in the Taylor bank account?

Floored Dani

Like Giggs, Dani Alves, on his day, is magnificent. A Nike poster-boy, he was sensational in the second half for Barcelona versus Chelsea in the Champions League. Flying up and down the flank, creating the extra man, whipping in crosses and free kicks. A shame then that in the first half, he spent most of the time writhing around on the floor in pretend agony. Alves twice went down after being touched with the force which wouldn’t have troubled an asthmatic butterfly and when Chelsea had the temerity to take the ball of him, he hit the deck as if he’d been gang-tackled by a herd of charging elephants. But my favourite moment came late in to stoppage time at the end of the game when, having been legitimately tackled he buckled as if having been shot by a sniper in the upper tier, only to bounce back up again 5 seconds later when Barca regained the ball. As one of my mates girlfriends said last night: “Do you know, Dani can be a girls name too.” Exactly.

FA maths

For their FA Cup semi final against Manchester United, Everton sold over 32,000 tickets. For the final, the FA has allocated the club 25,000 tickets. With Chelsea receiving a similar number, it means around 40,000 tickets will go to what the FA likes to call the ‘football family’. How on earth can the FA justify giving out less tickets for a final than a semi final? Oh sure, they’ve got VIP’s, friends, politicians and other football officials to invite but 40,000. Come on. In reality, it means the ‘true’ Everton and Chelsea fans will be forced to pay over the odds from some dodgy kerb side character while other people, who never watch a game from one year to the next, get in free via the FA’s back door. Scandalous.

Pitch battle

Let’s hope that whoever turns up to watch the FA Cup final gets a spectacle to remember on a pitch that doesn’t resemble, as it was famously described as last week, a pudding. After the Wenger / Ferguson pincer movement following the FA Cup semi finals, the FA has decided to lay a new pitch. Amazingly, this will be number 7. Or it might be 8. I’ve lost count to be honest. Only in the UK could you build an £800 million stadium for sporting events and forget that the most important things in it are not the VIP seats, the toilets or the free U2 concert tickets, but those pesky blades of grass. So now the groundsman, who came late to the project, has been sacked while the company that has overseen the installation of the previous 7 failed pitches remains. With thinking like that, do you get the feeling that the problem isn’t going to go away?

So the goals-fest never materialized in the Nou camp last night as a determined Chelsea blunted the attacking threat of Barcelona. It’s all to play for at the Bridge next week.

As it is at Old Trafford tonight in the all-English semi final, 1st leg between Manchester United and Arsenal.

First off, two facts that don’t make good reading for Gunners fans. United have never lost to another English club in European competition. Arsenal, meanwhile, have never beaten another English side over two European legs.

That said, the United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has stated that his greatest fear tonight is for Arsenal to score an ‘away’ goal. So, just as Chelsea kept out Barca, now it’s the turn of United’s back four to negate the attacking force of the visitors.

United’s defence

John O’Shea – Adidas adiPure II

O’Shea is expected to be preferred to Rafael Da Silva and the fit again Wes Brown at right back. The Republic of Ireland defender has played in almost every position for his club over the years but it will be his defensive qualities that will be most needed tonight.

Nemanja Vidic – Puma v-Konstrukt III

In the running for the PFA Player of the Year award, his early season form was terrific but he’s had a few wobbles of late. Tremendous in the air both at the back and in attack. Needs to keep Adebayor quiet.

Rio Ferdinand – Nike Total 90 Laser II

Another PFA Player of the Year contender who, like Vidic, was pipped to the honour by United team mate Ryan Giggs. When on song, Ferdinand and Vidic are just about the best pairing around. Will want to repeat last season’s exploits when, along with Giggs, he lifted the Champions League trophy.

Patrice Evra – Nike Total 90 Laser II

The son of a diplomat, they’ll be nothing diplomatic about how he handles Theo Walcott tonight. His instructions will probably mirror those given to Bosingwa who marked Messi last night. In other words, stop your man from playing. But must be careful as he’s on a yellow card.

Arsenal’s front men

Emmanuel Adebayor – Adidas F50.9 TUNiT

Has some serious European form coming in to this game with 2 goals against Villareal in the quarter final. His first, in the away leg, has been touted as one of the goals of the season, a brilliant bicycle kick which has been replayed endlessly since. The boys at Adidas must have loved that. Wore the F50i in training yesterday.

Theo Walcott – Nike Mercurial Superfly

A speed merchant in speed football boots. Like Adebayor, he’s on song with a goal in the FA Cup semi final against Chelsea and a great assist for Arshavin in the amazing 4 – 4 draw away to Liverpool. Has now proved his big match temperament as his England hat trick against Croatia showed.

Cesc Fabregas – Nike Tiempo Legend II

Will be full of confidence after his 2 goals at the weekend against Middlesbrough in the Premier League, a game watched from the stands by Sir Alex Ferguson. His runs from midfield could be pivotal for Arsenal as the Spaniard looks to add a Champions League title to the European Championship winners medal he won last season.

Even for the non-committed, it doesn’t get much tastier than Barcelona v Chelsea in the Champions League, semi final, first leg.

While supporters of Manchester United and Arsenal will doubtless argue that the ‘really important game’ doesn’t take place until Wednesday, the clash between the Spanish and English giants represents all that is good about Europe’s premier club competition.

Many experts are predicting that the game could be all over after the initial match up. And judging by the way that Barcelona sauntered past Bayern Munich in the last round they could be right. Chelsea, of course, were magnificent against Liverpool at Anfield but nearly blew it at home in the return leg.

So, just what will be the deciding factor in tonight’s game. The Footy Boots view is that it’s very much how Barcelona’s forward line will profit against Chelsea’s re-jigged defence.

And, as well as promising to be a gargantuan battle between individuals, it also offers a fascinating battle between football boot brands.

Barcelona’s Front Line

Lionel Messi – Adidas F50.9 TUNiT (Signature Line)

What superlatives haven’t already been used about Barca’s outrageously talented Argentinian international? The simple facts are that he’s the leading scorer in the CL this season with 8 goals from 9 matches.

Thierry Henry – Reebok Sprintfit Lite Pro

Still with a soft spot for Arsenal, Thierry Henry will relish the chance of taking on one of their closest rivals. His sticky start at Barcelona is now but a distant memory and he is an integral part of the Catalan side.

Samuel Eto’o – Puma v1.08

Puma clad Samuel Eto’o completes the Barcelona spear head. He recently scored his 100th league goal for the club and has 30 this season. Is in Barcelona’s all-time top ten list of goalscorers.

Chelsea’s last line

John Terry – Umbro SX Valor II / England Speciali

The England captain was suspended for the second leg of the quarter final against Liverpool and was sorely missed. Knows all about the threat of Henry after some famous duels in the EPL. Will need to be at his obdurate best to blunt the rapier attacks of the home side.

Alex – Nike Total 90 Laser II

Boy, can he hit them in his Nike footwear! It was Alex’s ferocious free kick that settled the nerves against Liverpool 2 weeks ago. With Carvalho suspended, Alex can expect a stern examination at the heart of the visitors defence.

Jose Bosingwa – Adidas adiPure II

Expected to move from right back to left back to cover the suspended Ashley Cole. Won’t have much to do tonight…..apart from mark Lionel Messi. So, no pressure then. His speed could just get him out of a few problems.

Branislav Ivanovic – Nike Total 90 Laser II

The unlikely hero from the Liverpool tie with 2 headed goals from the first leg. Unlikely to be given as much freedom in the Barcelona penalty box. That is, if he’s brave enough to venture over the half way line.

What were the three most important things to happen in Sheffield at the weekend?

In no particular order, the Footy Boots picks are:

1) Girls Aloud performed at the Sheffield Arena.

2)The City council’s allotment ranger was on hand for a Q and A at the Eccelsall Woods Sawmill. And, this is the big one really,

3) Concave PT+ football boots were used in a UK professional game for the first time.

Sheffield United’s Danny Webber used the kangaroo leather Concave PT+ when he came on as a 75th minute substitute in the Blades’ home game against Swansea City.

And while, with 2 massive Champions League semi finals this week, the news might not have an enormous impact, due to Sheffield United’s current league position, it could be significant.

United currently sit in 3rd place in the Championship, and a win in their final league game at the weekend could be good enough to see them promoted to the Premier League.

Indeed, should the Yorkshire club, who are away to Crystal Palace, get a better result than Birmingham City who visit Reading, then United, Webber and Concave will be top flight bound. If not, then they’ll get another chance via the play-off’s.

Concave PT+ football boots

Following on from the first design, the PT1, the PT+ football boot has the following modifications:

• A fully integrated concave upper element, which comprises one streamlined piece with a slightly lower profile and softer ridgelines than the original design.

• The trademarked Concave upper element has been modified by replacing the TPU with a memory foam-like material that is sufficiently dense to serve its design purpose yet more flexible for improved performance and comfort.

• Weight reduction, achieved primarily through a change of material in the Concave upper element.

• Comfort improvements, particularly to relieve pressure on toe joints.

Ajax Amsterdam have unveiled the new 2009/2010 away kit, made by Adidas.

The new strip will be used for the first time against Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday 3rd May.

The new away collection will be available for sale from this Friday but to get your hands on it, initially at least, you’ll have to make a visit to Holland as it’s only going to be purchasable from the official Ajax fan shop at the Amsterdam ArenA.

Another big-name club, though one that happens to be struggling – Newcastle United – has revealed their brand new Adidas kit, which will be worn during the 2009/2010 season in whatever league they end up in. Sceptics will say that after missing out on a win over Portsmouth at home on Monday night, that’s likely to be the Championship.

Nonetheless, the Toon Army will continue with the traditional black-and-white striped design.

And Plymouth Argyle are another side to team up with Adidas.

The Championship club has agreed ‘the most commercially attractive deal in Argyle’s history’ with the global sportswear giant, who become exclusive suppliers of all Plymouth’s playing, training and replica kit over an initial four-year period.

The famous three Adidas stripes will be first seen at Home Park when they adorn the Pilgrims’ new 2009/2010 home kit, which will be revealed before Argyle’s final home game of this season on Sunday 3rd May. It’ll be available for pre-order immediately afterwards.

Pilgrims’ chief executive Michael Dunford said:

We are delighted to be teaming up with Adidas, a global brand renowned for excellence in every corner of Planet Sport.

Another set of fans who can soon purchase their side’s new shirt are those of Bristol City with The Robins having unveiled their new Puma home kit for next season.

City will don their new kit for the final home match of the season against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday; whilst fans will be able to get their hands on the new strip on the same day.

Similarly Norwich City’s new 2009/2011 Xara away kit is now on general sale.

The kit features some special design elements - including the collar, which has ‘On the Ball City’ embroidered on the back for the first ever time.  The front of the neck is elasticated for improved comfort. Additionally a mesh effect is sported down both sides and subtle green piping and trim is on both the shirts and shorts.

As ever, footballshirtculture.com is the place for all the news regarding football shirts.

By James Bailey

It may have taken a dodgy penalty to get Manchester United on the score sheet, but once Cristiano Ronaldo had buried the spot kick, Wayne Rooney took over and guided the Premier League leaders to a stunning come back win over Spurs.

A hint of what was to come was sadly lacking in the first half in which Tottenham scored twice. First Darren Bent slammed in a cross from Vedran Corluka before Luka Modric popped in Aaron Lennon’s cross from the right. Half time and 2 – 0 to the visitors.

United needed a bit of help and they got it from referee Howard Webb. Well behind the play, he awarded the home side a spot kick after incorrectly ruling that goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes had brought down Michael Carrick. It was an awful decision, vehemently protested by the visiting players and their manager Harry Redknapp. Webb though stood firm and Ronaldo converted the chance.

The rest of the second half belonged to Rooney and his Nike Total 90 Laser II’s in the Yellow / Black / Midnight Fog colourway.

First he hammered home a chance from outside of the penalty box, then it was his cross from the left that set up Ronaldo for his second and United’s third.

Rooney made it 4-2 when his volley from Ronaldo’s delicate cross just evaded the desperate attention of Jonathan Woodgate and it was former Spurs player Dimitar Berbatov who scored the fifth after his initial header had been saved by Gomes.

The win put United 3 points clear of Liverpool at the top of the table with a game in hand. And Rooney maintains that the title is United’s to lose saying:

We know that we are in a great position and it’s only ours to throw away now. We knew as soon as we scored we could get three of four.

It was a brilliant comeback. The first half was too slow and we had to quicken up. But in the end it was comfortable.

Ryan Giggs has been crowned as PFA Player of the Year for the first time.

The Manchester United player finished on top of the pool which included his team mates Nemnaja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo and Edwin van der Sar along with Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard.

Desapite a near two-decade long senior career at Old Trafford and a host of honours including 10 Premier League titles and 2 Champions League successes, the PFA honour had always eluded him.  Giggs was naturally delighted saying:

It’s right up there with personal accolades - it’s the best to have as it’s voted by your fellow players.

I’ve been fortunate to win a lot of trophies, I won the young player award twice, but this is the big one.

It’s an exciting season. I think it is going to go right to the wire, there’s big game after big game now. That is what you want and need at a club like Manchester United.

Aston Villa forward Ashley Young took the Young Player of the Year award.

Premier League team of the year: Edwin Van der Sar (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Fernando Torres (Liverpool).

Championship team: Keiren Westwood (Coventry), Kyle Naughton (Sheff Utd), Roger Johnson (Cardiff), Richard Stearman (Wolves), Daniel Fox (Coventry), Michael Kightly (Wolves), Stephen Hunt (Reading), Joe Ledley (Cardiff), Jordi Gomez (Swansea, on loan from RCD Espanyol), Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (Wolves), Jason Scotland (Swansea).

League One team: Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe), Neal Eardley (Oldham), Jack Hobbs (Leicester), Sean O’Hanlon, Dean Lewington (both MK Dons), Fabian Delph (Leeds), Matt Oakley (Leicester), Chris Taylor (Oldham), George Boyd (Peterborough), Rickie Lambert (Bristol Rovers), Matt Fryatt (Leicester).

League Two team: Scott Shearer (Wycombe), Neil Austin (Darlington), Simon King (Gillingham), David McCracken (Wycombe), Tom Kennedy (Rochdale), Omar Daley (Bradford), Dany N’Guessan (Lincoln), Ben Davies (Shrewsbury), Tommy Doherty (Wycombe), Andy Bishop (Bury), Grant Holt (Shrewsbury).

Should you want to get your hands on a pair of the new Mizuno Wave Ghost football boots, then the date to keep in mind is June 29th.

On general sale then, the new offering from the Japanese manufacturers will be in use by Europe’s professionals from this weekend. And to mark it’s impending on-pitch debut, Footy Boots gives you exclusive news on price, secondary colouways and sponsored players.

In terms of price, the Mizuno Wave Ghost comes in at £100 or $160, though the dollar price could well change depending on how the pound performs over the next 2 months.

The initial colourway, which will be worn professionally from 1st May is the previously announced Black / White / Electric Blue which will be available in SG and FG versions. However, a secondary colourway of Super White / Black / Vibrant Orange is to be produced in FG only.

Uche of Getafe and Nigeria wears the Wave Ghost 

The football boot has been developed using a number of Mizuno’s European based players and over this weekend, it should be seen on pitches in Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Switzerland, Czech Republic and Holland.

Specific Mizuno players include Hulk (Porto), Cesar (Bologna), Smicer (Slavia Prague) and Kone (Marseille).

FC Porto’s Hulk. The electric blue should go nicely with green should the Hulk get a bit tetchy.

As for being worn in the English Premier League, the word from Mizuno is that they are actively looking to secure a major EPL player to coincide with the retail launch in June.

As for the product itself, weighing in at a mean 220g, the Wave Ghost is certainly one of Mizuno’s most innovative boots to date. First impressions are important too, and the Wave Ghost certainly looks striking.

Paulo Assuncao of Atletico Madrid in the Mizuno boots

Designed for speed, comfort and exceptional fit, Mizuno say that the boot comes packed with new technology. It’s an over used phrase in the football boot market place, but on this occasion, it’s backed up with incontrovertible fact.

The upper is made of a brand new material called Kuraray which uses the best attributes of kangaroo leather and synthetic fibre, Mizuno say tests on the new material showed it to be 4 times stronger than k-leather and 20% stronger than a pure synthetic equivalent. Additionally, water absorption can be reduced by up to 50%.

The firm ground outsole features Rivaldo’s signature stud configuration. The former Brazilian international and World Player of the Year worked alongside biomechanical and movement analysts to deliver an outsole that offers optimum traction, agility and freedom of foot movement.

It offers a separate heel and forefoot area made from graded TPU. The design enables rigidity in the mid-foot with enhanced flexion in the forefoot and stability in the rear plate.

Mizuno Wave Ghost Vital Statistics

Weight: 220g (FG) 250g (SG)

Colourway: Black / White / Electric Blue (SG & FG)

Secondary Colourway: Super White / Black / Vibrant Orange (FG only)

Sizes: 6 - 11 (UK 12)

Retail Sale: 29th June

Price: £100 / $160

86%

Reviews Counted: 163

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Michael Carrick has urged Manchester United team-mate Carlos Tevez to stay at the club.

The Argentina striker is yet to officially sign a permanent deal with the Champions and hinted recently that he could move on in order to find regular first team football.

However, England midfielder Carrick is desperate for Tevez to stay because he considers him a vital part of the Manchester United squad. He also said that he is the type of young player the club must hold onto if they want to keep winning trophies in the coming seasons.

Carrick says that the whole squad ‘want him to stay’ because he is a ‘top player’ who has scored some ‘very important goals’ over the last couple of seasons. He may not have played as much as he would have hoped this season, but he has still cropped up with some goals when needed.

The former West Ham midfielder went on to say that Alex Ferguson has put together a ‘world-class squad’ of which Tevez is a crucial part of. That’s why Carrick is so keen for the striker to stay and fight for his place.

The final decision will be down to Ferguson though and Carrick admits that his manager is the best man to ensure that the team ‘keep progressing’. If that means letting Tevez move on, it will be within the best interests of the club.

It is clear to see why Tevez has grown frustrated though. He hasn’t been as involved this season as he was last. In fact, he has only scored three Premier League goals this campaign with Dimitar Berbatov often getting the nod over him.

Tevez has made it clear that he has grown frustrated by his lack of games and earlier this week said that he has ‘not played in important matches’ and as an ambitious player, he wants to make sure he is doing so.

Fellow players like Carrick are obviously keen for Tevez to stay, but in order for him to stay, the forward needs his manager to show that he wants him. The longer this takes to happen, the more likely Tevez is to leave in the summer.

David Beckham’s extended loan spell has seen the MLS paid £6.8 million in compensation.

The England international is currently on the books of LA Galaxy but is playing on loan in Italy with AC Milan. He’s due to return to the US in July.

Beckham will be allowed to terminate his contract with the American side at the end of the 2009 season when it’s expected that he’ll return to Milan.

Many players, such as Beckham are contracted to the MLS rather than individual clubs and MLS commissioner Don Garber said:

We asked for $10 million, we got our $10 million.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid player is believed to have part-funded his move to Milan himself.

Since returning to Europe, Beckham has moved back into contention as a major player for England, who are coached by former Milan coach Fabio Capello.

Followers of Michael Owen will have noticed that the Newcastle striker has been training and playing in blacked out boots of late.

The fact that he hasn’t been wearing his usual branded footwear has led people to ask if the former England international has fallen out with Umbro, his boot suppliers of many years.

However, the official word from Umbro is that Owen is testing a new boot for them and that the relationship between the brand and the player remains.

England fans will remember that John Terry also trained in blacked out boots before the friendly with Slovakia when the national captain debuted a pair of England Speciali boots. It’s thought that Owen could be trialling a non-England version. Indeed, the cat might have been let out of the bag by Owen’s former Newcastle team mate Nolberto Solano who’s now back playing in Peru. He’s already announced that he’ll be wearing new Umbro Speciali football boots next season.

England Speciali football boots

Meanwhile, Nike say that there is still no date set in stone for the re-release of the Mercurial Vapor Superfly.

Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly

The original public launch date was postponed after Footy Boots highlighted that the boots had a tendency to rip after heavy challenges. Didier Drogba, Andrey Arshavin and Luis Fabiano all suffered with the same problem in early games with the boot, though it must be said that certainly Drogba and Arshavin have prospered in it of late.

Luis Fabiano’s ripped Superfly

Despite this, the company remains confident that players wishing to buy the Superfly will be able to do so in plenty of time to prepare for next season.

However, Nike has confirmed that the current colourway being used by the pro’s (Max Orange / Abyss / Silver) won’t be used for the relaunch.

Roy Keane has been appointed manager of Championship side Ipswich Town.

The former Manchester United midfielder and Republic of Ireland international has signed a 2 year contract and replaces Jim Magilton who was sacked on Wednesday.

Having been unemployed since resigning as Sunderland manager at the back end of 2008, Keane said:

I truly believe I am joining a club that has the potential, ambition and infrastructure to once again be a Premier League side.

The club’s owner (Marcus Evans) and chief executive (Simon Clegg) impressed upon me their total focus on achieving this quest at the earliest opportunity and I can’t wait to get started.

It’s understood that the Evans targeted Keane over a week ago. Since arriving at the club, Evans has spent £12 million on new players but became frustrated as the East Anglian club missed out on a play off spot.

Coach Bryan Klug will oversee this weekend’s game at high flying Cardiff City although Keane will be in attendance.