The Luton-born midfielder joined the Hatters at the age of 9 having been scouted in local football, and made a rapid progression through the club’s Centre of Excellence and Youth teams, demonstrating enough potential to convince manager Mike Newell to give him his first taste of senior action. Despite playing out of position at right-back, Keith gave a good account of himself at Nene Park and he went on to make 15 League appearances during the course of the season (his League debut coming in a 0-0 draw at Wycombe Wanderers in February 2004) as well as an FA Cup Fourth Round appearance against Tranmere Rovers.

He was predominantly played at right-back, although he also operated on the right-hand side of Luton Town's midfield and was given recognition at international level by representing Republic of Ireland's U-19 side.

Keith had been a key player in Luton’s Youth squad over the previous two seasons, and displayed great versatility by operating in just about every outfield position during that time. He featured most prominently on the right of midfield, bursting forward to great effect to provide many goals for himself and his teammates. His impressive performances were rewarded with a call-up to the Republic of Ireland Under-17 squad during the 2002-03 season, and he was also recognised closer to home when he was handed his Luton reserve team debut in April 2003 whilst still a schoolboy.

Keith had an excellent 2004-05 season with Luton Town as he continued to establish himself as a regular member of manager Mike Newell’s first-team squad, while also continuing his development at the club in the reserve and youth teams.

Appearing in the centre of defence for the youth team and at both full-back and in midfield for the reserves and first-team, Keith showed his versatility and proved why he is so highly rated by manager Mike Newell with some competent performances.

His first appearance of the season at senior level came in late August 2004 as he replaced the injured Kevin Foley at right-back and helped the Hatters to a 1-0 home win over Torquay United. Remaining in that position for the following two matches, Keith performed admirably before Foley’s return to action.

Going on to make a total of 17 League appearances during the course of the season (6 as a substitute) and 19 appearances in all competitions, Keith – in only his second season as a professional footballer – earned a Championship medal as Luton Town stormed to the League One title, amassing 98 points and earning promotion to the Championship after some 10 years in the bottom two Divisions of the Football League.

Not only earning success at senior level, Keith also played a big part in Luton Town’s Reserve side claiming the Pontins Holiday Combination Cup and the South East Pontins Holiday Combination League Championship.

Continuing to earn international honours at U-19 level for the Republic Of Ireland, Keith had endured a highly successful 2004-05 season and he went into the forthcoming 2005-06 campaign as a Championship player with the Hatters and a Republic Of Ireland Under-21 international after making his debut against Cyprus in October 2005.

Keith continued to add to his reputation as a talented young utility player during the 2005-06 season as he also earned international recognition with the Republic Of Ireland U-21’s, joining team-mate Kevin Foley in Don Givens’ side.

Operating at right-back, left-back, in central defence and on the right-hand side of midfield during the course of the campaign, Keith’s ability to play in numerous positions is a big bonus to the Hatters and his first two appearances of the season at senior level came in League Cup clashes with Leyton Orient (a 3-1 win) and at Reading (a 0-1 loss) before he got his first taste of Championship football as a late substitute in a 3-0 home victory over Preston North End in late September 2005.

Making 10 League appearances during the season (5 as a substitute), Keith netted his first – and only – goal of the season in a 2-3 home defeat to Hull City in early February 2006. Netting with a deft header into the far corner, Keith showed he has a calm head on his young shoulders and he was rewarded during the season by earning 4 caps for the Republic Of Ireland U-21 side – his first call-up to play at that level.

Handed a new two-year extension to his contract by manager Mike Newell, Keith was also awarded the Young Player of the Year trophy at the end of the season.

Once again a regular in the squad during the 2006-07 season, Keith operated at right-back, left-back and in the centre of defence during the season, showing his versatility to the side.

His goal at West Bromwich Albion earned him the 'Goal of the Season' award, as voted for by Hatters fans, and his reputation continued to grow as he added to his Republic Of Ireland U-21 caps.

However, the Hatters were relegated to League One, but with a new manager in Kevin Blackwell, there were high hopes they could bounce straight back up at the first attempt.

Unfortunately, this never materialised during a dreadful season for the club. Despite the Hatters' problems, Keith had an excellent 2007-08 season with Luton Town and he was one of a very select few to come out of the season with any credit.

Undoubtedly his best season for the Hatters from a personal point of view, Keith went from beginning the campaign as a bit-part player under Kevin Blackwell to being made the club captain under incoming manager Mick Harford in a season of massive changes at Kenilworth Road.

His appearances were limited under Blackwell up until January 2008, but following the club going into administration and the sale of key defender Chris Coyne, plus the departure of Chris Perry to Southampton on loan, Keith became a mainstay of the Luton defence. This included a superb performance against Premiership giants Liverpool in the FA Cup Third Round at Kenilworth Road, when he helped the Hatters to a surprise 1-1 draw.

In January 2008 Blackwell left the club, and fans’ favourite Mick Harford became the new manager. Asked to play as a central defender on a regular basis by Harford, Keith performed admirably and he was undoubtedly the most consistent performer in a weak Luton side that dropped into League Two with a whimper.

“Keano” scored his only goal of the 2007-08 season in an away loss at Leyton Orient in January 2008, tucking away a rebound from ten-yards after Orient keeper Stuart Nelson made a mess of a Darren Currie corner from the left.

Keith soon won around his earlier critics, with some rock solid performances at the centre of the Luton Town defence. His crunching tackles were often followed by chants of 'There's only one Keano' from the Kenilworth Road faithful, to whom he had become a crowd favourite.

Keith was rewarded for his excellent performances by being handed the club captaincy by Harford and he was awarded the club’s ‘Player of the Season’ and ‘Supporters’ Player of the Season’ awards.