He hasn't signed yet. Figo signed with them. Ronaldo has been offered money but hasn't signed. At least I believe that's the case.
The US would be a good fit for Becks. He and his wife will get all of the privacy in the world. Nobody cares about soccer and his wife is a has-been.
Wow. I can't believe it. I still think he's overrated and all, but as far as the marketing goes, it's a win/win situation. This should bring out more die hard soccer fans and more importantly, big time advertisors. But we shall see....I think he'll be here two years at the most.
FC Dallas is trying to get Edgar Davids now, I'm not sure how likely him signing is though. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=399520&cc=5901
just heard on ESPN SC that LA opens their season in Houston. Man, I actually would like to get tickets to that.
I didn't know who the **** David Beckham WAS until Nomar started going on and on about his "perfect bone structure."
he doesn't like "those" people, yet here is this dude with the perfect bone structure wearing that mop.
Very bad move for MLS. Once the wear shines off after 1 year, they will just have a huge contract albatross on their hands. I'm a fan of Beckham, but I think there is just too much responsibility being placed on his shoulders. What new LOYAL fans will come out of this? Rednecks who devote their life to Nascar? MLB fans? NBA will be in playoffs for the beginning of the MLS season, then there's college and pro football in August... I just don't think there is a big enough pie slice for MLS to dig into. They will be relying on teeny boppers to recoup their money. Once Beckham leaves, will the boppers remain?
It's confirmed. Here is the article from reuters. Wow, US$1 mil/week. I thought the highest pay for soccer player in EPL is less than 200K sterling a week? Hope he really stimulates the soccer culture in US. Sooner or later, every soccer fans in US would be able to "BEND LIKE BECKHAM". Beckham heads for L.A. in $1 million a week deal Thu Jan 11, 2007 3:30 PM ET By Simon Baskett MADRID (Reuters) - David Beckham will leave Real Madrid at the end of the Spanish season and sign a five-year deal for U.S. side Los Angeles Galaxy worth $1 million a week, the biggest in world sport. "After discussing several options with my family and my advisors to either stay here in Madrid or join other major British and European teams I have decided to join LA Galaxy and play in the Major League Soccer (MLS) from August this year," Beckham told Reuters. The 31-year-old former England captain, married to former Spice Girl pop star Victoria "Posh Spice" Adams, will earn a total $250 million over the five years financed heavily by endorsements and including bonuses based on performance and the future success of the MLS. "I would like to thank supporters and the people of Madrid who have made my family and I so welcome in my time here making this an extremely difficult decision to make," Beckham added. "I have enjoyed my time here enormously and I am extremely grateful to the club for giving me an opportunity to play for such a great team and their amazing fans." Beckham, who joined the Spanish giants from Manchester United in June 2003, is still one of the most recognizable and marketable sports figures in the world despite being dropped by England following last year's World Cup quarter-final exit and has spent much of the Spanish season on the bench. He is certainly the biggest name to move to the U.S. since soccer greats Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff played in the now-defunct North American Soccer League (NASL) in the 1970s and early 80s gives a major shot in the arm to the Major League Soccer (MLS), formed 10 years ago. ANOTHER CHALLENGE In a televised interview issued by LA Galaxy, Beckham added: "Another challenge has come up and it is the right time for us to do it. "I didn't want to go out there at 34 years old and for people to turn around and say he's only going there to get the money. It's not what I'm going out there to do. "I'm going to hopefully build a club and a team that has a lot of potential. I think that is what excites me. "Regrets? No. I have never had any regrets throughout my life and career and I never want to. "To play with the players I have played with, to play with (Zinedine) Zidane was the biggest honor I have had in my career, to play with the likes of Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos you know, for me, there is no regrets there." REAL CONFIRMATION Real Madrid confirmed that Beckham would not renew his contract with the club on their Web site (www.realmadrid.com). LA Galaxy had made public their interest in Beckham who runs a football academy that shares its home with the team and who has close links to the Anschutz Entertainment Group who own the club. "David Beckham coming to MLS might be viewed by some as one of the most important moments for soccer in this country and perhaps the history of professional sport," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in a statement. "David transcends the sport and is a cultural icon. David is clearly one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. People are going to feel really good about David Beckham spending the rest of his career in the U.S." The news ends months of speculation about the future of the midfielder whose contract with Real expires at the end of the season. LOST PLACE Having been first choice in the Real Madrid starting lineup since he moved to Spain, Beckham lost his place following the arrival of Italian coach Fabio Capello. He has only started five of Real's 16 league games this season and was known to be frustrated with his lack of opportunities in the first team. The former Manchester United player said he was now inspired by the challenge of cracking the American soccer market. "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. But he insisted he would be giving his all for Real Madrid until the end of the season to try to win the major trophy that has eluded him since he joined the club in 2003. "For the rest of this season I will continue to give 100 percent to my coach, team mates and fans and I believe (coach) Fabio Capello will bring this club and its supporters the success they truly deserve."
