http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...pe/6248835.stm

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.

With the exchange rate at 2:1 right now thats a cool million a week, every week, for the next 5 years...

Let the Beckham bashing begin.

 

damn a million a week is crazy.

 

man. must be a downer for this guy. he's gonna go from stadiums packed w/ crazy fans to stadiums packed w/ 20 fans.

but i guess w/ a 1 mil a week, it should keep him smiling

-sd

 

There would be plenty of fans and might bring some new interest to the sport in America. Soccer is the most watched sport in the world and only the americans have no interest in it.

It's to some degree sad for Beckham meaning that's the end of his career. Playing in the American league is basically the lowest you can go when you are a Football player. Your publicity will go way down IMO. It's a good retirement job.

Just heard it on the news this morning.. The best soccer player in the world is coming to california. AHAHAHH.. as much as I like beckham I dont' think he is the best.. That just shows how much Americans know about the sport...

ENGLAND forever......

 

+12345

 

Damn, he's gonna get paid.

Watch this....
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...655402&q=ali+g

 

holy hell! he isnt the best footballer in the world, and yet hes still getting that much.... our perception of soccer sucks here in the US. makes me wanna move back to Munich....

 

He is not the best but he is famous because of his looks and free kicks.

It's a good investment for AEG (company who owns LA Galaxy) because all the endorsement they will get from Beckham.. they basically owns his *** now.

From a marketing perspective.. it's well worth the $250 million USD.

It's exciting since he will open up american's mind to the game. The real game of football not some fat *** running with a ball when the ball is not in contact with the foot 95% of the time.

 

You hit the nail on the head

 

Have any of you ever been to the Home Depot Center? He'll be playing with way more than 20 fans, LA usually gets pretty close to packing their stadiums every game. I went to LA and watched him play against the Galaxy with Real Madrid, and when the reporter asked him if he would ever come to the US and play I laughed so hard... not really that funny anymore. I have a friend who is a goalkeeper with the Galaxy, said everyone is pretty excited for him to get there. It is a good fit for Beckham since LA has the best training grounds in the MLS, best stadium to play in the MLS, some of the best coaching staff as well. The US mens national team trains and heads out of there. He seems excited to help the US out and we should welcome it in, we need the exposure.

The end of his career... I don't think so. He is 31 and can run with the younger players of the game. I don't think he is the best player in the world, but he is certainly up there... anyone who criticizes that obviously sits on their *** at home and just watches games on TV. In my opinion, the MLS isn't that far off from the rest of the world. I have friends on most of the MLS teams, played with alot of people that play there now, won matches against their reserve teams with some of the starters on them. The only problem with US soccer is there is so much talent and not enough money to develop it... this is a huge step towards that when some investors will realize that its possible. When the MLS teams can afford to keep the talent here, thats when the league will take off.

 

I hope he can play really good like when he was in Manchester United. He's getting old, but I just love the way he makes a goal from free kick.

 

do you play like Becks, then you should move back and play in german leagues.

 

I think the largest problem is going to be with the American perception of his production. He will not score many goals, he is not a striker. Due to the limited understanding for the game in America many will view him as a bust. However, he will no doubt dominate in the league, there are very few players with his ability to cross and free kick.

This may also have a negitative impact on the league. It is clear that LA will have the most talented team in the league. And unless other teams take advantage of the "superstar" clause, this allows one roster spot to only take a $400,000 count against the salary cap, they could easily dominate the western confrence. (Additional information: the Salary Cap is just over 2million for the entire squad)

I cant wait until Lou Wolff is able to get the franchise back in SJ so we can see a world class player here in the Bay Area.

 

It's just a matter of no appreciation for the americans for the sport.. It would be a waste for him.. if soccer doesn't take off in this country. I don't think he can do it by himself.

 

Sweet, now I can start practicing to be a hooligan!