Inside the relationship between Roy Keane's daughter Leah Keane and Taylor Harwood-Bellis

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Evening Standard

·18. November 2024

Inside the relationship between Roy Keane's daughter Leah Keane and Taylor Harwood-Bellis

Has the recent goal by the Southampton player in his England debut against Ireland upset his prospective father-in-law?

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After Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis scored in his England debut match against the Republic of Ireland, Roy Keane joked that his daughter's engagement to the player is “not done and dusted”.

Fans wondered if Harwood-Bellis might have upset his prospective father-in-law by scoring during England's 5-0 win over Ireland. The goal happened 17 minutes after he made his debut, capping an unforgettable evening for the 22-year-old at Wembley.

As an ITV analyst, Keane, who played 67 games for Ireland from 1991 to 2005, said: “It’s bittersweet for me this. It is not done and dusted yet. Things can change very quickly in the Keane household, let me tell you. Over the last few months he has got a goal threat, even playing for Southampton. It is nice for him.

“It’s good for him, it’s good for him to make his debut, like I say he has a goal threat. He’s a nice kid, his family have done a great job, he is a really nice kid.”

It was then Harwood-Bellis’s turn to answer a few questions on Keane, who has been in teams that have won seven Premier League championships.

Reporters asked if Keane has given him much guidance over the years, to which he shyly responded: “It's something that is good, yes, and I take a lot of advice.”

Harwood-Bellis has clearly made a good impression on hard-to-please Keane after falling in love with his daughter Leah and getting engaged to her.

Who is Taylor Harwood-Bellis?

The 22-year-old is still at the early stages of his football career

AP

Harwood-Bellis is plays centre back for both the England national team and Southampton in the Premier League.

After graduating from Manchester City's development academy, he made his first appearance in the first squad in 2019 and scored his first goal the following year. After that, he went on loan to Burnley, Southampton, Stoke City, Anderlecht and Blackburn Rovers before joining the last of these at the end of the 2023–2024 campaign.

Harwood-Bellis has competed for England in the U16, U17, U19, U20, U21 and global levels. He was called up to the England senior team for the first time in November, and he scored against the Republic of Ireland on his debut.

The president of Stockport County's club is his uncle, Steve Bellis. Becky, his twin sister, is a basketball player who has played for Great Britain at the young level.

Who is Leah Keane?

Leah is one of Roy Keane's five adult children from his marriage to Theresa. They have one boy, Aidan, and four girls: Shannon, Caragh, Leah and Aleanna.

The former Manchester United and Ireland midfielder has a tattoo with all their names in his right arm. He claimed to be 180 miles from his home in the north of England in a recent post about his trip to Leah.

He posted a picture of the pair on the couch, as he shared: “No.4 thinks because she lives 180 miles away that I won’t pop in for a cup of tea. Always watching [eyes emoji].”