Posted on 01/11/2007 8:04:59 AM PST by dogbyte12
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.
Here is a picture of Beckham, and one with the wife.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
Anyone who wants to know where all of this is heading, you must see "Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos."
I was a fan as a kid, and it was true. But the Cosmos had Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinalia, etc and the LA Aztecs had George Best, Johan Cruyff etc, and the other teams couldn't compete.
I hope it doesn't turn out that way. If they limit it to one franchise player per team, perhaps it won't be a repeat of history.
That contract is insane. I am confused as to how Major League Soccer can even afford to pay it. I don't think any players make even $1 million per year now.
The ticket prices for the April 8 match against defending Cup champion Houston will now go up.
I lived in Fort Lauderdale when Best came to play for the Strikers. Crazy days they were. It was a lot of fun, especially when we played Rodney Marsh and the hated Rowdies. The "Yankees vs Red Sox" of the NASL.
The way we look at it in central Ohio is that now the Columbus Crew will be beaten by a REAL international soccer star instead of the pretenders. Glory!
Try to have a sense of humor, soccer fan. Nobody in this country cares about soccer.
It's ok, I'm a hockey fan...a realistic one who realizes nobody cares about hockey in this country either. Nobody in mainstream media anyway and I'm ok with that. They can have their NBA druggies and NFL gangsters and ridiculous College Football National Championship scenarios.
I prefer to follow a sport where the players respect the game.
...as I'm sure you do as well.
Well you folks in Columbus should know all about losing by now. :)
Funny. Almost the equivalent of saying Michael Schumacher claims to be involved in professional auto racing.
Now, if we can just get confirmation that Klinsmann will take over the coaching job of the US National team, it'll be a good "off season" for US soccer (of course, our "off season" is the same as everyone else's "season", but I digress...)
Klinsi turned it down.
Isn't Oliver Kahn also interested in playing MLS as well?
Isn't Khan like 40 years old?
Bummer. As much as I'd love to have a "homegrown" coach eventually for US Soccer, a high-profile international coach with a track record is needed right now to take them to the next level.
ping
(I decided against posting a pic of his "issues" on the field)
splat
This is great for American soccer...I mean, now you have a bonafide star in American succer leagues.
Of course, 99,44% of the country still won't care about it, but now there is something worth watching, namely Posh Spice.
Wow! Tell us how you really feel. lol. You must be a very big soccor fan to have that much passion about two people who are rarely in the news.
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