Robbie Keane and Morrissey


Legendary former Smiths frontman Morrissey was in California this week to watch the L.A. Galaxy soccer team route Club Tijuana in a pre-season friendly.

But the singer made the news after a visit to the the locker room afterward to have his photo taken with equally beloved Irish striker Robbie Keane.

According to Extramustard, the 53-year-old singer-songwriter, who was raised in Manchester by his Irish parents, wrote about his meeting with the Irish soccer player on the fan site True To You where he revealed that his father's cousin was Keane's grandfather, making the pair distant relatives.

Wrote Morrissey: 'It was a joyous head-storm to attend LA Galaxy -v- Club Tijuana last night and to see captain Robbie Keane score in the fourth minute. Why, exactly?

'Well, family tree aficionados will be aware that Robbie and I share the same Irish blood; his late grandfather (Thomas Nolan) being my own father’s cousin. In filial terms the Irish blood, English heart genetic between Robbie and I is evident – his chin is my chin, my chin is his.

'Robbie was raised on Captains Road (as was my mother) in Crumlin (Dublin), before he was shipped out to Tallaght. He is a gentleman of the highest caliber (or, if you must, calibre), and to watch him on the pitch – pacing like a lion, as weightless as an astronaut, is pure therapy. Robbie, the pleasure, the privilege is mine.'

Morrissey's Irish Catholic parents emigrated from Kildare to Manchester in the 1950's, but the celebrated singer has remained in touch with his Irish side and previously described himself as 'nine parts Crumlin and nine parts Old Trafford.'

Keane, a Dublin native, is also highly successful in his field and has reportedly just signed a multi-year contract extension with the Galaxy after helping lead the team to back-to-back MLS championships.