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Post by webm@ster on Jan 11, 2007 13:07:25 GMT -5
LONDON (AP) -- David Beckham, the former England soccer captain known as much for his style as his play, has agreed to leave Real Madrid and join the Los Angeles Galaxy in a deal Major League Soccer hopes will boost the sport in the United States in a manner similar to Pele's arrival with the Cosmos in 1975.
Beckham will leave Madrid at the end of the season. The move was announced Thursday following the end of talks on extending the 31-year-old English midfielder's contract with the Spanish club.
"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," Beckham said in a statement.
"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."
An entertainment personality who draws paparazzi like a movie star, Beckham and his wife, Victoria, the former Posh Spice of the Spice Girls, regularly find their way onto tabloid and magazine covers. With snazzy clothes, rotating hair colors and styles and a pop star wife, he is the epitome of the modern mix of celebrity and athlete. He's even had a movie named after him: "Bend it like Beckham."
His soccer skills are only part of the equation. He's David Beckham Inc., a multinational corporation with links to Pepsi, Gillette, Motorola and Adidas.
"David Beckham is a global sports icon who will transcend the sport of soccer in America," MLS commissioner Don Garber said. "His decision to continue his storied career in Major League Soccer is testament to the fact that America is rapidly becoming a true 'Soccer Nation' with Major League Soccer at the core."
The Galaxy, citing industry experts, said Beckham's deal is worth more than $250 million in salary and commercial endorsements and is "thought to be the biggest in sporting history."
Beckham will become the biggest star to play soccer in the United States since Pele and Franz Beckenbauer played in the now-defunct North American Soccer League in the 1970s.
"He's a cultural icon," former U.S. soccer star Alexi Lalas, the president and general manager of the Los Angeles Galaxy, told the Associated Press in July. "I think that the people that don't know a tremendous amount about soccer know who Beckham is, whether it's the way he looks or who he's married to or what he's done in international soccer. The fact is, he's transcended the sport."
The Galaxy opens its season April 8 in Houston.
"It's great for the Galaxy, it's great for the league. One of his attractions is he's still playing well," said Real Salt Lake coach John Ellinger. "It's a shame it can't be at the beginning of the season, so you can't avoid him. Most coaches are probably saying "give me my LA games early."
Beckham's Career Path
Years Club Country
1993-95 Manchester United England
1995 Preston North End* England
1995-03 Manchester United England
2003-07 Real Madrid Spain
2007-?? Los Angeles Galaxy U.S.
* On loan
Beckham's four-year contract with Madrid expires at the end of this season. He joined the team from Manchester United in 2003, where he had had won six league titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League title.
But Beckham, the world's most recognized player, hasn't won a major trophy since joining Madrid.
"I have enjoyed my time in Spain enormously, and I am extremely grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity to play for such a great team and their amazing fans," Beckham said.
Beckham has been unhappy this season at Madrid under coach Fabio Capello. He has started only seven of 25 matches and was left off the squad for Thursday's Copa del Rey match against Real Betis.
"For the rest of this season I will continue to give 100 percent to my coach, teammates and fans as I believe Fabio Capello will bring this club and its supporters the success they truly deserve," said Beckham, who trained with Madrid in the Spanish capital Thursday.
Before the season started, Beckham led England to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, scoring from a free kick in the second round to beat Ecuador 1-0.
But he was taken off the field early in the second half against Portugal with ankle and Achilles tendon injuries, and then watched as his team was eliminated in a penalty shootout.
A day after the game, Beckham stepped down as captain of the team -- a post he had held for 58 of his 94 international appearances. Then, on Aug. 11, England coach Steve McClaren dropped Beckham from the team altogether, signaling the end of his international career.
Then came more heartache in Madrid.
He was injured in November when he was allowed to travel to Rome to visit Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, but Beckham was forced to skip the wedding and return to Madrid to sit on the bench -- another sign that his days in Madrid under Capello were numbered.
Still, the move to Los Angeles won't surprise many people. Beckham has a soccer academy in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson with Anschutz Entertainment Group, the owner of the Galaxy. They also teamed to start an academy in London.
Plus, his wife recently was photographed house-hunting in Los Angeles.
Beckham and his wife are worth $169 million, according to Britain's Rich List. Beckham alone reportedly makes about $32 million per year in salary and endorsements.
"I'm going out there to hopefully build a club and team that's got a lot of potential," Beckham said. "I think that's what excites me."
MLS recently changed its rules on salary caps, clearing the way for Beckham to sign the lucrative deal and become the first player to be signed under the new rule.
"I don't think it's just about glitz," U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati said. "He wants to play on a winning team and be part of a winning organization and help build the game in the United States
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Post by miaki on Jan 11, 2007 13:15:41 GMT -5
I'd imagine its easier for him to get to Japan as well for all his promo work!!
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Post by sword on Jan 11, 2007 13:35:23 GMT -5
Well at least he can say he has played for two of the biggest football clubs in the world. Manchester United and PRESTON NORTH END   |
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Post by Poshbird05 on Jan 11, 2007 15:23:36 GMT -5
Now he can get beat up on by DCU!
How about England keeps Beckham and we keep Adu
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Post by MG on Jan 11, 2007 17:17:30 GMT -5
Wish him all the best in the US.
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Post by lionsden® on Jan 11, 2007 17:30:14 GMT -5
I really don't understand how a soccer team can afford
to pay him that much - Nobody watches pro soccer here
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Post by heartsfuzzhospital on Jan 11, 2007 17:39:52 GMT -5
They will do!
And its called FOOTBALL for fucks sake!!! ;D
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Post by lionsden® on Jan 11, 2007 17:42:24 GMT -5
They will do! And its called FOOTBALL for fucks sake!!! ;D Its not called that here And he is now on an american soccer team  |
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Post by caro on Jan 11, 2007 17:43:22 GMT -5
he's gonna look stupid being the only decent player in the whole league  and all the other players are gonna be dead jealous |
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Post by heartsfuzzhospital on Jan 11, 2007 17:45:45 GMT -5
It really is an insane amount of money, but fair play to him... I certainly wouldn't turn it down.
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Post by miaki on Jan 11, 2007 18:06:11 GMT -5
Pele did it ... Beckenbaur did it .. why not Beckham
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Post by globe on Jan 11, 2007 18:10:35 GMT -5
They were speculating on the news that he might be going to LA to try and get into movies.
wtf? do they have a "worst actor ever" award at the oscars these days? Can't see him acting myself to be honest!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2007 18:16:32 GMT -5
Pele did it ... Beckenbaur did it .. why not Beckham Cos its a shit place to play football, no matter who has played there in the past, George Best played for bournemouth you don't see players queing up to play for them do you He was a kid obssesed with football and manchester united, look at him now totaly sold out. now its about the brand beckham and his egotistical wife. he will always be a legend to me for what he achived in his years at manchester united, winning the double in 96 with the return of the king. And most importantly his best season after all the shit in the world cup he proved himself and one the treble. |
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Post by feckarse on Jan 11, 2007 18:55:17 GMT -5
Pele did it ... Beckenbaur did it .. why not Beckham Cos its a shit place to play football, no matter who has played there in the past, George Best played for bournemouth you don't see players queing up to play for them do you Still though, a quarter of a billion dollars!! |
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Post by lionsden® on Jan 11, 2007 18:59:13 GMT -5
Beckham looks a bit like K-Fed
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Post by nyr401994 on Jan 11, 2007 22:27:44 GMT -5
if pele, beckenbauer or best couldn't do it, then beckham certainly can't.
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Post by wankinginthebushes on Jan 11, 2007 22:32:01 GMT -5
It really is an insane amount of money, but fair play to him... I certainly wouldn't turn it down. EXACTLY |
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Post by Poshbird05 on Jan 12, 2007 1:05:13 GMT -5
Nobody watches pro soccer here I do, but I doubt he's making that much money off of my basic cable bill. |
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Post by NoelandMeMay29 on Jan 12, 2007 1:13:26 GMT -5
The MLS is nothing compared with the old NASL. NASL games sometimes were sold out. I mean Giants stadium, old RFK in D.C.
Cosmos, Rowdies, Diplomats etc.
50,000 people. MLS is lucky to get 10,000 at any game.
With so many sports on tv, MLS gets ignored. The World Cup failed again b/c the U.S. played awful and then all the public saw was grown men wreathing on the ground with a tap to the leg like they got run over by a car and penalty kicks deciding way too many matches. That's like playing American football for 60 minutes just to let field goal kickers decide which team is better with a kick off.
I played the game for 12 years and i never cried as much as these guys do just to get a free kick by faking they are hurt. Also play until someone scores.
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Post by Kamikazi on Jan 12, 2007 1:37:29 GMT -5
You all seem to forget the MLS is moving into Canada too now, and fuck you all, Canada is going to have a market, I don't care what you say.
I'd love to see the MLS become competitive with Europe, I'd love it. But it'll take time, and quite frankly, 250 Million dollars, ok, I don't care who you are, you wouldn't turn it down.
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Post by miaki on Jan 12, 2007 7:27:42 GMT -5
You all seem to forget the MLS is moving into Canada too now, and fuck you all, Canada is going to have a market, I don't care what you say. I'd love to see the MLS become competitive with Europe, I'd love it. But it'll take time, and quite frankly, 250 Million dollars, ok, I don't care who you are, you wouldn't turn it down. That is probably a very good point, there are so many ex-pats in Canada that a massive market of football fans ready to watch/and buy merchandise. BTW Ross, we never gained Best with a view to attract players he knew our management  You seem very bitter about the deal, he's not young he isn't in his heyday but he is extremely commercially viable for any team. Your now see the far east flooded with his new team shirt. |
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Post by tezza202 on Jan 12, 2007 9:15:28 GMT -5
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Post by miaki on Jan 12, 2007 9:17:24 GMT -5
On the news earlier they said since the Beckham announcement 1000 more season tickets have been sold at the club.
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Post by listenup07 on Jan 12, 2007 9:20:54 GMT -5
the guy is past it he is just there for the money
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2007 11:44:31 GMT -5
It really is an insane amount of money, but fair play to him... I certainly wouldn't turn it down. EXACTLY if i was already earning the stupid money that beckham is on at Madrid then i would not move for the money, there are plenty of clubs that would be after beckham that would pay him very good money and he could play football at a very high level. |
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You seem very bitter about the deal, he's not young he isn't in his heyday but he is extremely commercially viable for any team. Your now see the far east flooded with his new team shirt. 
Nov 4, 2024 5:04:30 GMT -5