28 replies to this topic

[keano]

David Beckham is to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season and sign a five-year deal with Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy. The former England captain is to quit Madrid when his contract runs out in June after agreeing a deal worth $248million.

He will kick-off the new MLS season in August.

Beckham said in a statement: "This week, Real Madrid asked me to make a decision regarding my future and the offer to extend my contract by a further two seasons.

"After discussing several options with my family and advisers to either stay here at Madrid or join other major British and European clubs, I have decided to join the Los Angeles Galaxy and play in the MLS from August this year.

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Apparently hes going to earn $955,000 a week! which is almost double of what the leading weekly salary is (Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees $485,000)

Edited by keano, 11 January 2007 - 11:36 AM.

[ThreeStars]

He certainly is getting a pretty penny so his wife can get her career back on track.....guess it worked out for them, and should help raise the profile of the MLS around other parts of the world.

[El Diablo]

He will hate it and sink the Galaxy's finances in the process... NASL....err MLS is the dumping gound for stars that are on the downill of their careers. Maybe we'll see Victoria showing her assets off when they play the Red Bulls.

[ThreeStars]

Well she was apparently offered film/tv roles which would obviously have required her to be in LA.......so that explains LA Galaxy. I'd doubt Beckham would be coming over if that wasn't on the table.

[eldon]

Wait til he plays in front of 5,000 fans in a 60,000 stadium.

[Pepperkorn]

I was wondering if it was just a matter of time before the US bought him.

[redruM]

wonder if Roldandinho will follow, we have been hearing those rumor.s as well....

[moustic]

wonder if Roldandinho will follow, we have been hearing those rumor.s as well....

Ahaha
You've will never see Ronnie in US championship until he's 38 years old.
He's a Barça for loooong long time

Anyway, Beckham isn't a soccer player. He has a magical foot and he's a master of free-kick but that's it !
HE CAN'T PLAY SOCCER

He know how to do two thing :
- Freekick
- sell merchandising

[Mitico12]

Beckham coming over to MLS will single-handedly sink the downward-turning league. It's a travesty that the MLS allowed this to happen.

Beckham may be worth $250 million in marketing, but he certainly is not worth this on the field. Unfortunately, what MLS has failed to understand is that the game is played on the field rather than in magazines, etc.

On the same day Beckham was signed, they have a player like Dempsey sign with Fulham in the EPL. Dempsey was by far the best player on the US National team at the past world cup, and they let him skate over to England for a hefty raise ($4 million per year).

Granted, a guy like Beckham is good for every league, but he's not the sole answer. He's 32, and his best years are behind him.

Besides, he's no way, shape, or form worth $250 million. That's way more than Ronaldinho is making...

What a disaster! Money will be made (for sure), but soccer will suck even more with this signing...

PS...You will not see Ronaldinho here for at least 8 years...

[redruM]

Beckham coming over to MLS will single-handedly sink the downward-turning league. It's a travesty that the MLS allowed this to happen.

Beckham may be worth $250 million in marketing, but he certainly is not worth this on the field. Unfortunately, what MLS has failed to understand is that the game is played on the field rather than in magazines, etc.

On the same day Beckham was signed, they have a player like Dempsey sign with Fulham in the EPL. Dempsey was by far the best player on the US National team at the past world cup, and they let him skate over to England for a hefty raise ($4 million per year).

Granted, a guy like Beckham is good for every league, but he's not the sole answer. He's 32, and his best years are behind him.

Besides, he's no way, shape, or form worth $250 million. That's way more than Ronaldinho is making...

What a disaster! Money will be made (for sure), but soccer will suck even more with this signing...

PS...You will not see Ronaldinho here for at least 8 years...

I'm Glad Dempsey went to the EPL... the US needs to get more players playing on the highest level.. Dempsey has the opportunity to beome an elite player now, he would have NEVER done this in the MLS.. look at Donovan.. the MLs has ruined him!!!

[Devils731]

I feel the MLS, currently, views it self as a developmental league for hopefully elite players before they move onto higher leagues and a place for high profile stars to come to as they age. I think MLS feels having the US players go and compete in higher leagues only helps the national team which then, long term, helps MLS by raising US awareness of soccer in general.

[redruM]

I feel the MLS, currently, views it self as a developmental league for hopefully elite players before they move onto higher leagues and a place for high profile stars to come to as they age. I think MLS feels having the US players go and compete in higher leagues only helps the national team which then, long term, helps MLS by raising US awareness of soccer in general.

I donot disagree, but player lik eDonovan need to be playin gin Europe.. not LA... I hope Adu and some of the other stars follow suit and play in the EPL it will only help american futbol....

[Devils731]

I think you'll see the next gen players go play in the higher leagues. I hope the MLS learned they hold US players down when it encourages them to stay. I think they have learned that lesson but we'll see.

[El Diablo]

I think you'll see the next gen players go play in the higher leagues. I hope the MLS learned they hold US players down when it encourages them to stay. I think they have learned that lesson but we'll see.

Im not sure what the answer is -- soccer is not an easy answer in the US. I think they made a huge mistake by shutting down the women's league, it was harnessing a lot of interest and they could have shared expenses with MLS as a partner. Every league in the world loses its best talents to Europe and now somewhat Mexico so we should encourage this in our players. I think Donovan was a personal decision and Im not sure he was cut out for Europe, but I agree that his talents have been wasted.

[LOTCB]

Wait til he plays in front of 5,000 fans in a 60,000 stadium.

Not a CHANCE

LA has been buzzing about this most of the day

[redruM]

after talking to some people few things came to light..
1 Becks salary is %50 Mil over 5 years, the oter 200 Mill will be in endorsements...

2 I think getting becks here opens thegates for other famous though over the hill players to come to america...

3 if nothing else soccer gets some front page stories becuase of Becks...

4 the best US players STILLL need to goto Europe to become world clas players..

5 sounds like Reyna will be coming hom eto finish his career.. great move becuase his isthe best known US player and he has enoughskills to show off what americans can do on US soil...

6 Ronaldo and Figo might not be far behind

7 I'll still watch epl over mls

8 I'll defeintely buy tix whne bekcs is in town...

[moustic]

Figo will stay in Italy (for what i know)
Ronaldo... we never know..

[Devilish34]

Beckham benched permanently

don't know if you guys saw this. No biggie for him I guess

[El Diablo]

Wasting no time...

Posh Spice in L.A.

Capello is an ass though.....

[moustic]

Wasting no time...

Posh Spice in L.A.

Capello is an ass though.....

BUT a huge coach who know what to do to win championship
(and for madrid is start with all the ex-player as Beckham out !)