David Beckham signs 2 year deal with LA Galaxy

kmart6

Did a search and nothing came up....

David Beckham is staying in Los Angeles for another two years after signing a new contract with the Galaxy on Wednesday.

The 36-year-old former England captain signed the two-year deal with the Major League Soccer club after turning down a chance to move back to Europe with Paris Saint-Germain.

"This was an important decision for me," Beckham said in a statement provided to The Associated Press. "I had many offers from clubs from around the world, however, I'm still passionate about playing in America and winning trophies with the Galaxy."

Beckham made the surprise move to the Galaxy in 2007, joining from Real Madrid on a five-year deal. But he took until last season to lift his first trophy in the United States, winning the MLS Cup in November.

Beckham, who started his career at Manchester United, opted against moving to France or returning to the Premier League because his family is settled in California.

He is targeting a spot in Britain's Olympic football team at the London Games by playing regularly for the Galaxy.

"I've seen first hand how popular soccer is now in the States and I'm as committed as ever to growing the game here," Beckham said. "My family and I are incredibly happy and settled in America and we look forward to spending many more years here."

The Galaxy, though, knows how close it came to losing the player who gives the team international fame.

"I am thrilled that David has chosen to rejoin the Galaxy, especially as he had numerous options where he could continue his career," Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said. "I felt that he was one of the best players in all of MLS last season and we could not have achieved the success that we did without him. We look forward to trying to replicate that success this season with David once again in a Galaxy uniform."

It is a jersey that the Galaxy said is the best-selling in the MLS and "one of the best in the world."

"There has been much speculation in the past four months on where David was going to play and we did not get caught up in this and remained focused on re-signing him," said Tim Leiweke, president of team owner AEG. "David had many options and we are pleased he felt comfortable, not only with our organization but also with Los Angeles, and will remain an important part of our club, our AEG family and our City."

Beckham's deal was negotiated by Simon Fuller, the creator of reality TV hit "American Idol," who is the player's business partner and manager.

"When David and I discussed making the move from Real Madrid to the LA Galaxy back in 2007, our minds were firmly focused on the massive opportunity of helping to grow soccer in the United States," Fuller said. "We have made great progress over the past five years in raising the profile of soccer domestically and the MLS on a worldwide stage, and we are encouraged by all the results.

"However, clearly this is an ongoing mission and this new deal confirms our commitment to continuing our journey and making sure the world's biggest sport, soccer, continues to grow in the world's most passionate sports loving nation, the USA."

Source....

Put's an end to the rumours....

Son Of A Vidic

He's probably laughing all the way to the bank and fair play to him.

kraggy

Where the hell do Galaxy get the money to pay him? Do they get huge tv rights or what?

JPA

kraggy wrote: »

Where the hell do Galaxy get the money to pay him? Do they get huge tv rights or what?

Beckham gets paid directly by sponsors, the MLS itself and LA GALaxy to make up his ginormous salary.

LuckyLloyd

Great deal for both parties.

Crazy Horse 6

About his level alright. Huge money no doubt.

Captain Havoc

One of the things when he originally signed was that he got to keep all his publicity money which clubs generally take a percentage of.

Neil3030

This is indeed probably the best move for Brand Beckham, as the MLS is a level in which he can still perform well. Plus his kids are settled there.

Kess73

Just amazes me that a guy who has long been more brand than footballer still gets the same kind of headlines that top footballers get.

Fair play to Beckham for being able to spin such huge sums of cash for being a lower level footballer though.

LuckyLloyd

Crazy Horse 6 wrote: »

About his level alright. Huge money no doubt.

Kess73 wrote: »

Just amazes me that a guy who has long been more brand than footballer still gets the same kind of headlines that top footballers get.

Fair play to Beckham for being able to spin such huge sums of cash for being a lower level footballer though.

Jeez lads, why so bitter?

Kess73

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Jeez lads, why so bitter?

No bitterness at all. I think Beckham and his advisors deserve massive credit for being able to fetch such huge amounts of money for a player of his current abilities. Beckham at this stage would probably struggle at Championship level, but he is in the world class bracket in terms of hype and certainly in terms of merchandising worth thanks to that hype.

I just find it laughable a player of his current footballing ability is such a big news story.

carlcon

As someone slowly merging my way into American society, I have to say I'm glad to hear this.

Soccer has been the most played sport in America for quite some time now, and it's finally starting to pay off in terms of professional interest, thanks to the likes of Beckham coming over to play.

The MLS is looking good, and colleges now take it a lot more seriously. On the men's side, anyway... the women have always been way above average.

Keeping names like Beckham here, while also bringing over the likes of Keane, Henry, etc, is fantastic.

To be blunt about it, you can keep your bitterness and passive-aggression, a nation of 300 million people is benefitting from them, and might just be a top international force with a top home league thanks to these guys in 20-30 years time.

LuckyLloyd

Kess73 wrote: »

No bitterness at all. I think Beckham and his advisors deserve massive credit for being able to fetch such huge amounts of money for a player of his current abilities. Beckham at this stage would probably struggle at Championship level, but he is in the world class bracket in terms of hype and certainly in terms of merchandising worth thanks to that hype.

I just find it laughable a player of his current footballing ability is such a big news story.

He might, because of the hustle and bustle of that particular league, but from what I saw of him coming up to the MLS Championship, I reckon he'd still have 25 - 30 good performances in Serie A left in him.

In any case, the man proved his worth during the good years of his career at two of the biggest clubs in the world (and did well for Milan as well don't forget), and is a fulcrum for the side he plays for today. By all accounts a good guy and great professional too. I don't begrudge him his success.