Keane welcomes Crouch arrival

Keane: Praise for Crouch

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Robbie Keane is looking forward to playing alongside Peter Crouch and is not worried about competition for places.

England international Crouch completed a move from Portsmouth to Tottenham earlier this week in a deal reported to be worth £9million.

He has played under Harry Redknapp previously and could now renew his partnership with Jermain Defoe that was so successful at Fratton Park.

Keane's spot could therefore become vulnerable but he maintains that Crouch's arrival can only benefit Spurs and will help to motivate all the strikers at the club.

"I am looking forward to playing with him," said the Republic of Ireland captain. "He is a tremendous player and he is a good addition to a good squad that we already have.

"As a striker it is always good to be kept on your toes and we now have four good strikers and it is good to have that competition as it now means we all have to perform otherwise someone else is going to come in.

"It is important to have that competition and it will only help us to do well."

Crouch delight

Crouch attracted a lot of interest from elsewhere before Spurs won the chase for his signature, with Sunderland coming close to signing him last week.

But Crouch, who started his career with Spurs as a schoolboy, insists that he always wanted to come to White Hart Lane.

"When a side like Spurs comes in for you, it's very hard to turn them down," Crouch said in The Sun.

"Spurs was always going to be my No 1 choice and I'm pleased it has all come off.

"The manager has a lot of faith in me and believes in my ability to be a top player.

"I think these five years can be the best of my career."