David Beckham Set To Join MLS, LA Galaxy
One of the most recognizable names and faces of football is headed to Major League Soccer. David Beckham is cutting ties with Real Madrid, and the former England captain told ABC News, "I think I need another challenge."
MLS and the Los Angeles Galaxy, long-assumed the likely post-Madrid destination for the 31-year-old midfielder, have inked a deal for the player to join the club in August. Beckham's current contract with Real Madrid expires on June 30. A news conference will be held Thursday with MLS Commissioner Don Garber officially announcing the deal, which is rumored to be over $250 million. (For perspective, D.C. United was sold on Monday for just $30 million.)
In LA, Becks will link up with the most famous of American soccer icons -- current player Landon Donovan and current Galaxy executive Alexi Lalas. The move has an added convenience for Becks: One of the player's two football academies is located there.
Reports Wednesday out of Spain suggested Real Madrid had decided not to offer Beckham a new contract, this after weeks of speculation about the details of the two-year deal: Neither player nor club could reach an agreement.
A spokesperson for Beckham, though, said late on Wednesday that talks with Real, for whom Becks has seen scant minutes under new coach Fabio Capello, were still on-going.
Now, however, the talks with Real are finished and Beckham will head to the United States, where the 11-year-old American top-flight league, MLS -- and Hollywood, will welcome the player with open arms
Personally I think it would be better if he stayed in Europe