David Beckham Leaves Real Madrid for L.A. Galaxy

[thedeesh]

This surprised me until I saw how much they are going to pay him. One of the biggest contracts in sports ever.

MADRID, Spain -- Former England captain David Beckham will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season and sign a five-year deal for MLS team Los Angeles Galaxy, he told Reuters on Thursday.

"This week Real Madrid asked me to make a decision regarding my future and the offer to extend my contract for a further two seasons," Beckham said. "After discussing several options with my family and my advisers to either stay here in Madrid or join other major British and European teams, I have decided to join L.A. Galaxy and play in the MLS from August this year."


Beckham, 31, who joined Real Madrid from Manchester United in June 2003, is the most famous player to sign up for Major League Soccer since it began in 1996.


He is also the biggest name player to move to club soccer in the United States since the likes of Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff played in the now-defunct North American Soccer League in the 1970s and early '80s.


"David Beckham is a global sports icon who will transcend the sport of soccer in America," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said on the Galaxy's' Web site. "The addition of David Beckham represents another significant step forward for the MLS and the sport."


"[Beckham's] enormous success as a player and team leader will serve as an inspiration to millions of soccer players and fans in this country" and help boost MLS and American soccer in general, Garber said.


Beckham's deal is reported to be one of the biggest in global sport, worth more than $250 million over an undisclosed amount of time.

[bratjackson]

Wow im very happy for him

[db44]

As you are new here, let me point out when you use a story from somewhere, you have to cite it and link it if it's from a website.

If you are surprised by this, you haven't been paying attention to Becks. Even when he left Old Trafford, it was rumored back then he was interested in coming to America. The rumors came up a number of times with each year he spent with Madrid. It was always said LA or NY, for the ultimate Metrosexual and Posh were always interested in being in those cities. Add to it, he has run a soccer academy in LA for a few years now... It was always in the cards.

The bigger issue right now is what this means for MLS. The Galaxy, ESPN2 said today, sold 1000 new season tickets yesterday after the news. The new "Beckham Rule" makes room for each team to pick up a Beckham-type player whose salary doesn't count against the cap (another sure sign this was in the works). Who else will come still relatively in their prime? Ronaldo has been mentioned as a possible NY player in the near future, and Claudio Reyna may return to the States from Man City with the rule.

It also means the world will now watch with more than just a passing interest. MLS is now on the map, and hopefully others will follow him. Unlike the NASL days, the MLS can capitalize on this better, with satellite TV and internet feeds, they can make money off international markets like NASL never had a chance to when it brought in Pele and the likes.

If Adu stays around, Reyna and Donovan and some of the younger stars stay here, and some more international names come here, MLS and US Soccer can really start to make strides in the world of soccer.

[db44]

Well, Reyna's back, and in NY. I think they traded for another provisional spot, so maybe they will get someone else as well...