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Robb
My freedom begins here
Age: 40
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Joined: 01 Nov 2004 |
 Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 1:35 pm Post subject: David Beckham to move to LA Galaxy |
| Quote: | David Beckham will leave Real Madrid and join Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy at the end of the season.
The 31-year-old former England captain will sign a five-year deal, reportedly worth £128m.
Beckham said: "This week Real asked me to make a decision regarding their offer to extend my contract.
"After considering several options to stay in Madrid or join other major British and European teams, I have decided to join LA Galaxy."
In a statement, Beckham continued: "I would like to thank the supporters and people of Madrid who have made my family and I feel so welcome in my time here, making this an extremely difficult decision to make.
"I have enjoyed my time in Spain enormously and I am extremely grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity to play for such a great team and their amazing fans.
"I am proud to have played for two of the biggest clubs in football and I look forward to the new challenge of growing the world's most popular game in a country that is as passionate about its sport as my own.
"For the rest of this season I will continue to give 100% to my coach, team-mates and fans as I believe manager Fabio Capello will bring this club and its supporters the success they truly deserve."
Real Madrid confirmed Beckham's departure in a statement, saying: "Both parties have agreed that Beckham will not extend his current contract, which ends on 30 June 2007."
Beckham left Manchester United in July 2003 to sign for Real, who paid £25m for the midfielder's services.
However, in the three-and-a-half seasons since his arrival, the Spanish giants have failed to win any major trophies.
This season has proved particularly disappointing for Beckham, who was dropped by England coach Steve McClaren and then fell out of favour with Real boss Capello.
LA Galaxy admitted their interest in signing Beckham in November, when general manager Alexi Lalas told the BBC Sport website of his admiration for the former England captain.
In an exclusive interview, Lalas said: "The Los Angeles Galaxy are looked upon as the jewel of Major League Soccer.
"We play in the best stadium, we have had incredible success over the history of the league, we have had great individual players and great teams. There's a tradition of excellence.
"All of this leads to this race to become the first MLS super club, if you will.
"It is something we aspire to and in order to do that you have to have quality players, a direction and a passion, a good coach and you have to get credibility domestically and internationally.
"Signing players of Beckham's stature would be a wonderful step in the right direction not just for the Galaxy but for soccer in America."
Beckham is the biggest name to sign up for Major League Soccer since its inception in 1996 and the most famous player to play club football in the US since Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff competed in the North American Soccer League in the 1970s and early '80s.
LA Galaxy are owned by sports and entertainment giants AEG, who are also partners in Beckham's soccer academy in Los Angeles.
AEG president Timothy J. Leiweke said: "David Beckham will have a greater impact on soccer in America than any athlete has ever had on a sport globally.
"David is truly the only individual that can build the 'bridge' between soccer in America and the rest of the world."
Landon Donovan, Galaxy's star player, agreed that Beckham's arrival would be a huge boost to MLS.
"I think it's hard to quantify what David Beckham being here would mean," he said.
"Marketing-wise it's a dream come true and it's not a 35, 36-year-old washed-up guy.
"It's a guy who can still play and a guy who still has a lot of appeal, probably the most famous soccer player in the world." |
bbc.co.uk
So, what does this mean for the MLS? Is soccer even paid attention to over there, and will this actually have an impact on attendances and revenue? |
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Doot
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| Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 3:20 pm Post subject: |
Oh poor Beckham.
Unless he's hoping for an interest miracle, this is probably a career ending move.
I wish football (non pigskin) was more embraced over here but sadly, it is not. |
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RivaOni
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| Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 3:36 pm Post subject: |
Alot of footy players do this towards the end of their career, the games not so harsh over there so they can keep playing for longer, well that was the case in the past anyway when the likes of the great Bobby Moore wentt o play in the States.
His wages will actually be higher too and he'll be open to other career options once his careers over, the Beckhams have been trying to "break into" America for years!
I think its a good, but bold move on his part, he's a big name worldwide and he can help gain interest in football in the states much better than most players can, and quite frankly, the US needs to pay more attention to it, they might end up being good at a sport they didnt invent then  |
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FawkesFyre
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| Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 5:24 pm Post subject: |
Who knows, having him on the US side might revamp some of the interest over here.
He certainly has the fandom here...and who his wife is certainly isn't a total bust either...Miss Posh Spice
Doesn't he have some sort of merchandise deal? |
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GAAZ
MOD Black Sheep Commander
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| Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 6:08 pm Post subject: |
$250 Million to revamp soccer on one player?!
Do we even have a soccer stadium?
The only reason Tiger Woods was able to revamp golf was because LOTS of people played and enjoyed golf...Tiger made it exciting because he basically retired the old fogies and opened the doors for new players.
Some company(ies) somewhere is going to squander $250 Million on this guy and see no return...Maybe they should have talked to Vince McMahon about his forey into football with his XFL or whatever.
Soccer is like public education...No matter how much money you throw at it the problem won't be fixed until people get involved. |
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kurjohoto the III
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| Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 6:39 pm Post subject: |
Sadly Soccer (like Hockey) is too long or "slow" for most American fans to enjoy. Even though I enjoy both. Maybe Beckham will bring some new interest. He most definaly won't hurt. Maybe he can bend it like well himself and breath some life into this sport. Yes and maybe we will see some posh spice sideline action. |
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BK
undefined
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| Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 6:50 pm Post subject: |
I'm one of the few American's that I know that enjoys soccer, but even I prefer watching European league over American. We're such sissies at this sport. |
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RivaOni
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| Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 8:19 pm Post subject: |
As I said BK, the american game is much gentler than it is elsewhere (especially Scotland and England) and Beckhams getting on now as a footballer, he can extend his career by playing in a country sucjh as the US.
Looking around, former players who have retired in the US ater having succesful careers elsewhere include:
Branco (Brazil)
Yiouri Djorkaef (France)
Lothar Matthaus (Germany)
Bobby Moore (England)
Allan Ball (England)
George Best (N. Ireland)
Gordon Banks (England)
Franz Beckenbaeur (Germany)
Geoff Hurst (England)
Pele (Brazil) |
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RivaOni
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| Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 9:59 am Post subject: |
Now that Becks is officially in the LA Galaxy squad now, what do you guys think are his chances?
TBH, I think too much is expected of him, he's not a flashy player, not in the slightest, if anything he's a grafter, opening up games and creating chances for the players around him.
In other words, he wont even revitalise LA Galaxy if they haven't got attacking players that are good at finding space and can also finish properly. |
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Robb
My freedom begins here
Age: 40
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Joined: 01 Nov 2004 |
| Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 8:26 pm Post subject: |
Well, by all acounts Landon Donovan is a reasonable player, so they should pair up nicely.
I think we'll see a different Becks in the US league, he'll probaly be more inclined to go for goal himself |
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'The darkest moments of our lives are not to be buried and forgotten, rather they are a memory to be called upon for inspiration, to remind us of the unrelenting human spirit and our capacity to overcome the intolerable'
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