Beckham To Bend It In L.A.

(CBS/AP)  David Beckham agreed to a five-year deal with the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer, leaving the Real Madrid club at which he enjoyed worldwide popularity but experienced disappointment on the field.

Beckham, the former English captain who also starred for Manchester United, will join the Galaxy after his contract with Real Madrid expires on June 30. Los Angeles opens its season April 8 in Houston.

"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," he said in a statement released Thursday.

The move was announced following the end of talks on extending the 31-year-old English midfielder's contract with the Spanish club. MLS recently changed its rules on salary caps, clearing the way for Beckham to sign a lucrative deal. British news reports put the Galaxy deal at $250 million.

"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," Beckham said in the statement. "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."

Beckham has soccer academies in London and Los Angeles. His wife Victoria, a former Spice Girl, was recently photographed househunting in Los Angeles.

In Europe, what they call "football" is king, and Beckham's as close to royalty as you can get, CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips reports. But in mainstream America, he's at best 'what's her name's husband.'"

"David Beckham will have a greater impact on soccer in America than any athlete has ever had on a sport globally," said Timothy J. Leiweke, president & CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns the Galaxy. "David is truly the only individual that can build the bridge between soccer in America and the rest of the world."

Beckham joined Real Madrid in 2003 after a hugely successful run with Manchester United, where he won six league titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League title. But Beckham did not win a single major trophy with the Spanish club, and his spell coincided with Madrid's worst slump since the early 1950s.

Real Madrid has had six different coaches and three club presidents during Beckham's stay, but the club has made a fortune — in part because of the star's position as a cultural icon for soccer fans and non-fans alike, including men, women and children of different ethnic and racial groups.

His marketability was emphasized by the hit movie "Bend It Like Beckham," even as his skills deteriorated with age.

Beckham's contract included a clause in which half his image rights would go to Real Madrid. That helped earn the club millions, allowing the Spanish team to overtake Manchester United as the biggest earner in world soccer.

Beckham led England to the quarterfinals of the World Cup last summer, scoring from a free kick in the second round to beat Ecuador 1-0. But he was taken off the field early in the second half against Portugal with ankle and Achilles tendon injuries, and then watched as his team was eliminated in a penalty shootout.

A day after the game, Beckham stepped down as captain of the team — a post he had held for 58 of his 94 international appearances. Then, on Aug. 11, England coach Steve McClaren dropped Beckham from the team altogether, signaling the end of his international career.

[hollybear5]

Soccer actually requires more than you know. It takes lots of practice to actually be good at it. Anyone can hit a ball that is coming at them. Anyone can tackle a person. You have to learn how to keep the ball and manuever around all kinds of obstacles to actually get it to the goal, then you have to get it past the goalie. I think the sport has great impact on young children today, and can actually tech them something as well. I played all sports (softball, basketball, even golf) as a child and soccer was actually my favorite.

[jenniferfry]

DRinUK aka-Silly Cow. There is nothing attractive about these two. They're both as dumb as a bag of hammers. I live in the UK and as you know, they're a joke.

[fatty12345-2009]

As far as Beckham being innvolved with American soccer, I think it will make no difference in the viewership. You either like it or you don't.

In response to jjhughes8665 from the above posts, baseball and American football are completely original American games interms of rules and style of play. They are not "rounders" & "handball".
Moreover, to the comment "you like sports that the rest of the world hates".Tell large portions of Asia, South America and Canada that they not part of the world because they eat drink and sleep baseball. Soccer(sorry football) is a bore. What alot of fun a tie is! Most Americans laugh at a Brits pomposity.

[ddabiz]

Building on the comment of mrvolleyba11, I agree that soccer may not be as expensive to play as other sports that require more equipment. However, you can also play baseball and football with minimum equipment (football can be played with only a ball in open space, like soccer). I don't think that being perceived as cheap is why it is so popular around the world and I don't think soccer is a "poor" people's game. Actually, soccer is as popular(even more so)in countries like the UK (where it was created) and the European Union as it is in underdeveloped countries.

[jjhughes8665]

As an Englishman I know Beckham will have no effect on football,sorry soccer,in America.The problem seems to be that you like sports that the rest of the world hates.As a result one of the most gifted footballers of his generation will have little impact over there.I read a comment above from someone that made me chuckle.The fact that 'soccer' is considered boring in the states makes most brits laugh especially when a game of Handball(sorry 'Football') takes 3 hours with about 50 commercial breaks in between and a game of Rounders(sorry 'Baseball')takes about 4 hours.

[drinuk]

Jenniferfry, Silly Cow

[drinuk]

David Beckham will be good for Soccer in America, he will I'm sure take lots of kids off the street who would otherwise be up to mischief or bored at the very least. He is a good role model and will be an important building block in the foundation of the MSL. The worrying downside to his arrival would be that other clubs go searching the world for "Named" players and attempt to put the roof on prior to building the foundations and the walls, this was tried in the 70's and failed, please don't do it again. Most of your kids are wonderfully athletic, the college sports system is great and you could have the best soccer in the world within ten years. The caveat being... don't try to tell the rest of the world how to do it, learn the game and bring on the kids, many of who will be a rich as David

[jenniferfry]

Beckham is a mess and so is PigNosePosh. They should get along well in an invironment filled with self absorbed people just like them!

[whoever1234]

Smart move by the Galaxy (and also good for MLS, as it will pack out games wherever the Galaxy plays). But $250 million over 5 years is an awful lot.

I think one thing keeps soccer from really taking off in the USA - the game will not stop so that the networks can run their commercials.

[soxperk]

Americans love lots of scoring and tons of statistics. This is why outdoor soccer is an acquired taste to most of us. Indoor soccer with the fast action and increased goal scoring is exciting to watch. But Americans appreciate super-stars regardless of the sport. I remember watching when Pele played in NY. So - Beckham and his stylish wife will help the sport over here. I might consider going to a game in CHicago next year just to see him play - and I don't even like soccer. MSL needs a few more stars to make it interesting.