Beckham to join LA Galaxy

David Beckham, who will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season, will join MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy in a five-year deal worth a stunning 248 million US dollars.

The 31-year-old, who joined Real from Manchester United in June 2003, is no doubt the most famous player to sign up for Major League Soccer (MLS) since it began in 1996.

LA Galaxy is located near Beckham's Southern California sports academy.

"I've played now for two of the biggest clubs in the world. I've played at the highest level for 15 years and now I think I need another challenge," Beckham said.

Beckham's contract with Real runs out at the end of the season and he had been negotiating a new deal that would keep him at the Bernabeu until 2009.

On Wednesday Real sporting director Predrag Mijatovic was quoted as telling Sky Italia that Beckham's contract with the Spanish giants had not been renewed.

But the club later denied that the star midfielder was on his way out, stressing that negotiations over a new deal were still ongoing.

Under FIFA guidelines, Beckham has been able to openly negotiate with other clubs since January 1 because he is in the final six months of his contract.

Simon Oliveira, Beckham's spokesman, said last week that Beckham would not leave Real during January's transfer window. But with MLS starting its season in April, a quick exit would allow him to be on the field when the US campaign kicks off rather than joining late.

Beckham, who had previously spent the whole of his professional career with Manchester United, moved to Spain in 2003 after falling out with Old Trafford mentor Sir Alex Ferguson.

But Real have failed to win a major trophy during Beckham's time in Spain and he himself has drifted out of the first team.

While Beckham has fallen from the starting lineup, he would be a superstar with the glamour and appeal to make American audiences take notice of a sport largely ignored in favor of baseball, basketball and American football.

It would also be a boon for his corporate sponsors, who reportedly pay Beckham 20 million US dollars a year for his golden endorsement.

Source: Xinhua