Robbie Keane leaving LA Galaxy for new playing challenge

It seems an entire generation of Premier League stars is leaving Major League Soccer this offseason.

LA Galaxy star Robbie Keane announced Thursday that he’ll be joining Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard as former MLS players at the end of this year.

MLS contracts tend to run through New Year’s Eve.

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Keane, 36, scored 104 goals for the Galaxy since joining the club in 2011, spending four seasons in the MLS Best XI, adding a season MVP and an MLS Cup MVP.

He said he’s “truly loved” his time with LA, but was ready for a new challenge.

From LAGalaxy.com:

“However, I believe that now is the right time for a new challenge as I look towards the next chapter of my playing career. I still feel as fit and sharp as ever and I am looking forward to my next adventure. Having now retired from international football I am ready to focus everything I have on one last major challenge in club football and will be taking time out to consider my options before announcing my next move.”

What is this new challenge? Could it a be a return to the Premier League? Might he be taking a player-coach role? When you’re as accomplished as Keane, what constitutes a a major club challenge.

For the Galaxy, they now have two open Designated Player slots with Steven Gerrard having previously announced his departure.

The best of Robbie Keane in MLS. #ThankYouKeano https://t.co/Fw87R6eByc

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 17, 2016

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