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Who Is Theo Robinson? - RamZone New Player Profile
Who Is Theo Robinson? - RamZone New Player Profile
Wednesday, 23rd Feb 2011 10:54 by Daniel J Sewart

The late, late signing of Theo Robinson on Tuesday took Rams fans by surprise and despite the standard pre-requisite of having recently scored against Derby, most of us knew little about the young striker.

As always RamZone takes an in depth look at our newest signing in our full player profile:

Theo Laroyan Robinson was born on the 22nd of January 1989 in Birmingham and started on the road to a full time football career by graduating as part of Watford's youth academy.

Before coming through the ranks at the Hornets, Theo had very nearly walked away from football at the age of 16 when Stoke City released him after a season as a schoolboy.

Luckily for Theo Watford had spotted him during an exit trial held by The Football League. Ironically that trial was held at Derby County's Moor Farm training ground in 2005.

He was given a chance by Watford to train at the club and after a week impressed the club sufficiently to be signed on a two-year apprenticeship, which was followed by a professional contract in 2007. The Football League used his signing as an example in their promotions of how the exit trials were keeping young, talented players in the game.

After signing his contract he was immediately loaned to Wealdstone for one month which was later extended for the rest of the season. His fantastic strike rate of 13 Goals in 16 games were crucial for the club as they staved off relegation from the Southern Football League Premier Division.

After returning to the Hornets he found himself on the bench for their Premier League Clash against Newcastle in May of 2007. He made his debut after coming on as a second-half substitute.

At the beginning of the 07/08 season Robinson joined Hereford United on loan until the end of the season. He finished the season as the clubs top goal scorer with 16 goals which helped lift the club with promotion to League one.

Robinson returned to Watford for the 08/09 season but failed to cement a spot and was once again loaned out early in 2009. He joined league one side Southend United for the rest of the season. After 7 goals in 21 appearances he once again returned to the hornets.

In July of 2009 Theo signed for Huddersfield Town on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. The form of other strikers at the club found him struggling to make the clubs regular starting line up but when he finally did break back into the squad Robinson scored 7 goals in the last 10 games of the season. This made his final tally of 16 goals in 38 appearances for the season far more presentable.

The next season did not reflect how he ended the 09/10 season as Huddersfield sent Robinson out on loan in September 2010. He returned to Huddersfield in early November through injury requiring an operation on his knee which cut the loan spell short.

Despite the injury issue, Millwall manager Kenny Jackett expressed his desire to bring sign Robinson permanently and once he regained full fitness returned to the Lions for training at the end of December.

Jackett got his man when Robinson signed for Millwall on the 13th of January 2011 for a fee believed to be around £300,000.

Only a month later Millwall have shown great understanding in allowing the Birmingham born player to move on loan as he has struggled to settle in London away from family and friends.

He will join the Rams until the end of the season on emergency loan and they will be looking for a permanent move to either the Rams elsewhere in the summer.

Millwall manager Kenny Jackett confirmed the situation to the media:

"Theo hasn't really settled in south London and this move gives him the opportunity to be nearer to his Birmingham home”.

Rams manager Nigel Clough was chuffed to have pulled off something of an unexpected coupe:

“I said after Saturday's game at Scunthorpe it was nice to have the option to have two strikers starting the game and two more on the bench, so bringing Theo in enhances our options even further.” 

"Theo is another forward with raw pace and we've found out to our cost what he is capable of in front of goal this season.” 

"Like Jamie Ward; he is someone we've monitored for some time because he has scored goals wherever he has been." 

Robinson was pleased to link up with the Rams when he spoke to the official site about the move before the Hull clash:

"I'm very happy to be here and with a game tonight, it's really exciting, I'm ready if called upon and I hope I can play some part." 

"It will be a tough game for us tonight against Hull, they are doing really well but hopefully we can get a victory and I really can't wait to get going." 

"Derby gets 25,000 crowds each week, which is fantastic at this level and I remember coming to Pride Park with Watford a few times and I was really impressed with the level of support in numbers and noise."

"I've not mentioned the goal (against Derby) to the rest of the lads I've tried to keep a low profile in the dressing room today. Personally it was a great goal to score, but I've not mentioned it to the rest of the lads and hopefully I can get a few goals for Derby now."

The loan deal was completed in time for Robinson to make his debut as a second half substitute against Hull and after the match he couldn’t believe the Rams lost a game they had dominated for long periods:

"I can't believe we lost considering how well we played, we kept going and going, even after going behind and that shows the players have something about them.” 

"I turned to the lads on the bench early on and said 'is this how we always play?' because we did that well. It is weird how the team can be 19th when they play that well, so hopefully we can combine that play with some results soon."

"I saw enough out there to make me believe we will get some results soon, starting at Sheffield United. Saturday's game is a massive one for us now; they are struggling so it will be a real fight at Bramall Lane."

RamZone would like to wish Theo Robinson all the best during his loan spell at the Rams and perhaps beyond.

Knock in the goals and you will need never be homesick again Theo - a Derby County hero has a home for life!

 

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