Joe Keenan (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Joseph John Keenan is an English
professional footballer, who plays for Victorian Premier League
club South Melbourne
, as a left midfielder
.
. He made his first-team debut for Chelsea in 2002 as a substitute for John Terry
against Aston Villa
; his second appearance came as a replacement for Gianfranco Zola
in an FA Cup
tie. Keenan was given a four year contract in 2002 and was seen as a "hot prospect" by Claudio Ranieri
. He suffered a broken leg soon afterwards, however, which kept him out of action for most of the 2002–03 season. He made one further appearance in a league match, but fell out of favour after Jose Mourinho
became manager and was loaned out.
Keenan then signed for Melbourne Victory FC, playing as a left wingback for the 2007-08 Australian
champions. He can also play anywhere across midfield. Keenan signed for Scottish Premier League
side Hibernian
in July 2008. He scored his first goal for the club in a Scottish League Cup
defeat against Morton
, but he struggled to hold down a first team place, making only 16 appearances. When John Hughes replaced Mixu Paatelainen
as manager before the start of the 2009–10 season, Keenan was told that he was free to find a new club. Keenan was released from his contract at the end of August.
Keenan signed a contract with South Melbourne
on 9 December 2009 to play in the upcoming VPL season. He returned to the A-League
on loan with Adelaide United for the 2010-11 season as an injury replacement player for injured Nigel Boogaard
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer, who plays for Victorian Premier League
Victorian Premier League
The Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and second highest nationally after the A-League...
club South Melbourne
South Melbourne FC
South Melbourne FC is a football club based in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Considered the most successful association football club in Australia, they have won four national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World...
, as a left midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
Club career
Keenan started his career with Premier League club ChelseaChelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
. He made his first-team debut for Chelsea in 2002 as a substitute for John Terry
John Terry
John George Terry is an English professional footballer. Terry plays in a centre back position and is the captain of Chelsea in the Premier League...
against Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
; his second appearance came as a replacement for Gianfranco Zola
Gianfranco Zola
Gianfranco Zola, OBE, Ufficiale OMRI is a retired Italian footballer and manager, who most recently managed West Ham United from 2008 to 2010, after having been assistant manager of the Italy U-21 under Pierluigi Casiraghi...
in an FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
tie. Keenan was given a four year contract in 2002 and was seen as a "hot prospect" by Claudio Ranieri
Claudio Ranieri
Claudio Ranieri, is an Italian football manager, currently in charge as head coach of Internazionale.He has also managed many other well-known clubs in Europe, including Cagliari, Napoli, Fiorentina, Valencia, Atlético Madrid, Chelsea, Parma, Juventus and Roma.-Early life:Ranieri attended St...
. He suffered a broken leg soon afterwards, however, which kept him out of action for most of the 2002–03 season. He made one further appearance in a league match, but fell out of favour after Jose Mourinho
José Mourinho
José Mário dos Santos Félix Mourinho is a Portuguese football manager and the current manager of Real Madrid. He is commonly known as "The Special One".Mourinho is regarded by some players, coaches and critics as the best ever coach in football....
became manager and was loaned out.
Keenan then signed for Melbourne Victory FC, playing as a left wingback for the 2007-08 Australian
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
champions. He can also play anywhere across midfield. Keenan signed for Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
side Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
in July 2008. He scored his first goal for the club in a Scottish League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
defeat against Morton
Greenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs....
, but he struggled to hold down a first team place, making only 16 appearances. When John Hughes replaced Mixu Paatelainen
Mixu Paatelainen
Mika-Matti Petteri "Mixu" Paatelainen is a former Finnish international football player and the current manager of the Finnish national team, having started the role in April 2011...
as manager before the start of the 2009–10 season, Keenan was told that he was free to find a new club. Keenan was released from his contract at the end of August.
Keenan signed a contract with South Melbourne
South Melbourne FC
South Melbourne FC is a football club based in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Considered the most successful association football club in Australia, they have won four national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World...
on 9 December 2009 to play in the upcoming VPL season. He returned to the A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
on loan with Adelaide United for the 2010-11 season as an injury replacement player for injured Nigel Boogaard
Nigel Boogaard
Nigel Boogaard is an Australian football player. He currently plays as a central defender for the Australian A-League club Adelaide United.-Central Coast Mariners:...
.