Beckham to join LA Galaxy
Beckham will see out his career in MLS
Also In The News
|
Directed by Greg Coolidge, out now in cinemas, starring Jessica Simpson, Dane Cook, Dax Shephard and Andy Dick, running time 103 minutes. |  |
Thursday, 11, Jan 2007 11:17
David Beckham will leave Real Madrid to sign for LA Galaxy at the end of the season in a deal which means he will see out his career in the United States.
The former England captain will sign a five-year deal worth £128 million with the Major League Soccer club, contracting him until the age of 37 when he will likely retire from professional football.
In a statement, Beckham said: "This week, Real Madrid asked me to make a decision regarding my future and the offer to extend my contract by a further two seasons.
"After discussing several options with my family and advisers to either stay here at Madrid or join other major British and European clubs, I have decided to join the Los Angeles Galaxy and play in the MLS from August this year."
Beckham thanked the Madrid supporters "who have made my family and I feel so welcome in my time here", which he said had made the decision to leave "extremely difficult".
"I am proud to have played for two of the biggest clubs in football and I look forward to the new challenge of growing the world's most popular game in a country that is as passionate about its sport as my own," he concluded.
Major League Soccer spokesperson Dan Courtemanche earlier confirmed that the Californian team had been involved in negotiations with the former England captain over a possible move.
Galaxy owner Philip Anschutz and manager Alexi Lalas have both for some time expressed a keen interest in bringing 'Brand Beckham' to the west coast of the United States and Beckham himself has also spoken in positive terms about moving to the MLS before he retires.
Beckham was involved in negotiations over his contract at Real Madrid, although one stumbling block was reportedly the 31-year-old's desire to maintain total control over his own image rights, which apparently net him in the region of £20 million a year.
Madrid wanted a greater cut of the proceeds from Beckham's image rights. However, the ex-Manchester United man appears to have been tempted by the Los Angeles team's offer to give him total control over his own sponsorship deals and related off-field activities.
Beckham is also thought to want to establish a chain of soccer schools for children in the US and a move to LA will afford him the luxury of being able to personally oversee such a venture.