So – the waiting is over, the secret is out – and David Beckham, arguably the most famous footballer on the planet, is going to France.
The former England captain, who has kept the world guessing since leaving America’s LA Galaxy after winning yet another title, has signed a short-term contract with league leaders Paris St Germain.
The 37-year-old, looking to extend his phenomenal career until at least the end of the season, is certainly not doing it for the money. Almost his entire £3 million plus salary will go to a – as yet unnamed – children’s charity in the French capital.
Beckham has been there, done that, and has a raft of trophies and awards to his name to prove it.
His footballing pedigree puts him virtually in a league of his own, with 115 caps for his country, making him the most capped player in England’s history after goalkeeper Peter Shilton.
He has won the league title on no fewer than three continents – with Manchester United six times, with Real Madrid in Spain and with LA Galaxy in the U.S. – was a champions league winner in 1999, and has scores of individual accolades and awards to his name in a career that so far has spanned 20 years.
Beckham acknowledges he no longer has the pace of his younger self – or, as he was famously quoted as saying last week, never had any in the first place – but is still the undisputed king of the dead ball, master of the art of pinpoint accuracy at passes and free kicks.
The ‘grand old man’ of English football still exudes a passion for the game and is desperate to play a part in PSG’s bid to win their first league title in 19 years – and not just help to boost their coffers with the sale of Beckham memorabilia.
He has moved his family from Los Angeles to London in preparation for making the commute across the channel when called on to appear for his new club.
Beckham’s Roll Call of Honour
- Manchester United – six premier league titles, 2 FA cups, and the UEFA Champions League
- Real Madrid – Spanish La Liga title and Supercopa de España
- U.S MLS league with LA Galaxy
- UEFA Club Footballer of the Year
- BBC Sports Personality of the Year and lifetime achievement award winner
- 1st British footballer to play 100 champions league games
- 1st English player to score in three world cups
- 2nd ever Englishman to win league titles in three countries
- Member of the English Football Hall of Fame
- Created O.B.E. in 2003
- UN Goodwill Ambassador
- London 2012 Olympics Ambassador
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’][/author_image] [author_info]
Football – and David Beckham – fan Nicki Williams is a copy writer for Gear-Zone, leading sports and outdoor specialists and stockists of all the major brands including Adidas, Nike, Rab, The North Face and Berghaus Click here for more information
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