LOS ANGELES — The most recognized player on the planet — fashion icon, tabloid fixture, marketing giant — agreed to a deal Thursday to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer.
Bringing goals, glitz and his Spice Girl wife, David Beckham is leading another British invasion, hoping to do for American soccer what the Beatles once did for pop music — make it rock.
‘‘There are so many great sports in America,’’ the 31-year-old former England captain said. ‘‘There are so many kids that play baseball, American football, basketball. But soccer is huge all around the world apart from America, so that’s where I want to make a difference with the kids.’’
Beckham turned down a two-year contract extension from Real Madrid, where his fading skills left the free kick specialist on the bench. He’ll start for the Galaxy and could enter a whole new universe: His deal was negotiated by major entertainment industry players, including the creator of ‘‘American Idol.’’
‘‘David Beckham is a global sports icon who will transcend the sport of soccer in America,’’ MLS commissioner Don Garber said.
The Galaxy didn’t say exactly what they’ll pay him, but floated a figure of $250 million in salary and commercial endorsements over the five years of his contract. In other words, $1 million a week.
A ‘‘Bend It Like Beckham’’ sequel, with more than just a cameo this time? Probably not far behind.
Beckham and his pop star wife, Victoria, should fit in just fine in LA. He opened a soccer academy in Carson, Calif., last year, and she was photographed house-hunting in the area.
A celebrity who draws paparazzi like a movie star, Beckham and his wife regularly find their way onto tabloid and magazine covers. With trendy clothes, rotating hair colors and styles and a glamorous wife, he’s the epitome of the modern mix of celebrity and athlete.
His soccer skills are only part of the equation. He’s David Beckham Inc., a multinational corporation with links to Pepsi, Gillette, Motorola and Adidas.
Beckham, who has failed to win any major titles in 3 1/2 seasons in Madrid, said the time was right for a change.
‘‘I’ve played now for two of the biggest clubs in the world and played at the highest level for 15 years, and now I think that I need another challenge,’’ Beckham said.
Beckham will become the biggest star to play soccer in the United States since Pele and Franz Beckenbauer played in the now-defunct North American Soccer League in the 1970s.
MLS even changed its rules on salary caps, clearing the way for Beckham to sign the lucrative deal and become the first player to be signed under the new rule.
‘‘I’m going out there to hopefully build a club and team that’s got a lot of potential,’’ Beckham said. ‘‘I think that’s what excites me.’’
Los Angeles opens its season April 8 in Houston, but Beckham is not expected to join the team until August. His four-year contract with Madrid expires at the end of this season.
‘‘For the rest of this season I will continue to give 100 percent to my coach, teammates and fans as I believe (coach) Fabio Capello will bring this club and its supporters the success they truly deserve,’’ Beckham said.
Beckham has not found much success since he moved to Madrid in 2003 from Manchester United, where he had had won six league titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League title. He has no major trophies with the nine-time European Cup champions.
‘‘I’ve enjoyed my time in Spain. It’s been an incredible experience for me and my family,’’ Beckham said.
Beckham has started only seven of 25 matches for Real Madrid.
Before the season started, Beckham led England to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, scoring from a free kick in the second round to beat Ecuador 1-0. He was hurt and watched as England later lost to Portugal.
A day after the game, Beckham stepped down as captain of the team. Then, on Aug. 11, England coach Steve McClaren dropped Beckham from the team altogether, signaling the end of his international career.
Beckham was injured when he traveled to Rome to visit Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. Beckham was forced to skip the wedding and return to Madrid to sit on the bench — another sign that his days in Madrid were numbered.
AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.
Bringing goals, glitz and his Spice Girl wife, David Beckham is leading another British invasion, hoping to do for American soccer what the Beatles once did for pop music — make it rock.
‘‘There are so many great sports in America,’’ the 31-year-old former England captain said. ‘‘There are so many kids that play baseball, American football, basketball. But soccer is huge all around the world apart from America, so that’s where I want to make a difference with the kids.’’
Beckham turned down a two-year contract extension from Real Madrid, where his fading skills left the free kick specialist on the bench. He’ll start for the Galaxy and could enter a whole new universe: His deal was negotiated by major entertainment industry players, including the creator of ‘‘American Idol.’’
‘‘David Beckham is a global sports icon who will transcend the sport of soccer in America,’’ MLS commissioner Don Garber said.
The Galaxy didn’t say exactly what they’ll pay him, but floated a figure of $250 million in salary and commercial endorsements over the five years of his contract. In other words, $1 million a week.
A ‘‘Bend It Like Beckham’’ sequel, with more than just a cameo this time? Probably not far behind.
Beckham and his pop star wife, Victoria, should fit in just fine in LA. He opened a soccer academy in Carson, Calif., last year, and she was photographed house-hunting in the area.
A celebrity who draws paparazzi like a movie star, Beckham and his wife regularly find their way onto tabloid and magazine covers. With trendy clothes, rotating hair colors and styles and a glamorous wife, he’s the epitome of the modern mix of celebrity and athlete.
His soccer skills are only part of the equation. He’s David Beckham Inc., a multinational corporation with links to Pepsi, Gillette, Motorola and Adidas.
Beckham, who has failed to win any major titles in 3 1/2 seasons in Madrid, said the time was right for a change.
‘‘I’ve played now for two of the biggest clubs in the world and played at the highest level for 15 years, and now I think that I need another challenge,’’ Beckham said.
Beckham will become the biggest star to play soccer in the United States since Pele and Franz Beckenbauer played in the now-defunct North American Soccer League in the 1970s.
MLS even changed its rules on salary caps, clearing the way for Beckham to sign the lucrative deal and become the first player to be signed under the new rule.
‘‘I’m going out there to hopefully build a club and team that’s got a lot of potential,’’ Beckham said. ‘‘I think that’s what excites me.’’
Los Angeles opens its season April 8 in Houston, but Beckham is not expected to join the team until August. His four-year contract with Madrid expires at the end of this season.
‘‘For the rest of this season I will continue to give 100 percent to my coach, teammates and fans as I believe (coach) Fabio Capello will bring this club and its supporters the success they truly deserve,’’ Beckham said.
Beckham has not found much success since he moved to Madrid in 2003 from Manchester United, where he had had won six league titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League title. He has no major trophies with the nine-time European Cup champions.
‘‘I’ve enjoyed my time in Spain. It’s been an incredible experience for me and my family,’’ Beckham said.
Beckham has started only seven of 25 matches for Real Madrid.
Before the season started, Beckham led England to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, scoring from a free kick in the second round to beat Ecuador 1-0. He was hurt and watched as England later lost to Portugal.
A day after the game, Beckham stepped down as captain of the team. Then, on Aug. 11, England coach Steve McClaren dropped Beckham from the team altogether, signaling the end of his international career.
Beckham was injured when he traveled to Rome to visit Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. Beckham was forced to skip the wedding and return to Madrid to sit on the bench — another sign that his days in Madrid were numbered.
AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.
