Soccer Superstar Heading To Spain
English soccer star David Beckham was traded to Real Madrid on Tuesday by Manchester United for a $41 million transfer fee.
The Premier League champions said Beckham agreed to the terms and the deal would be finalized in July.
The England captain and midfielder left London on Tuesday for a promotional tour of Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand. He refused to answer questions about his future before boarding an airplane.
The 13-year veteran with Manchester United was benched during last season by team manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Beckham has dismissed suggestions of a rift with Ferguson despite several publicized fallouts.
He appeared headed to Barcelona, Real Madrid's archrival, when Joan Laporta announced he reached a deal with United to transfer Beckham — if Laporta was elected Barcelona team president. That reportedly was a $30 million deal.
But Beckham balked at joining Barcelona.
Real Madrid, nine-time winner of the European Cup, already has several high-priced stars, including Brazil's Ronaldo, France's Zinedine Zidane, Portugal's Luis Figo and Spain's Raul Gonzalez.
"We are delighted with David's arrival, a strategic signing who will contribute to making us a more competitive club and team," Real Madrid sports director Jorge Valdano said on the team's Web site.
"Our relationship with Manchester United has been greatly strengthened by this agreement, although it has been David's firm and unflinching will to play for Madrid which has made this possible."
Beckham, married to former Spice Girl Victoria, is as much a cultural icon in Britain as he is a soccer player. His ever-evolving haircuts are mimicked by teenagers.
Beckham has helped Manchester United win six of its eight league titles in 11 years, and the European Champions Cup in 1999. He earned a reported $143,000 a week at Manchester United, the sport's richest club. His net worth is $79.5 million, according to a recent survey of Britain's richest people in The Sunday Times. That number includes endorsement and sponsorship deals.
Highlights of David Beckham's career:
1975, Born May 2 in Leytonstone, east London.
1991, Joins Manchester United as a trainee.
1992, Makes debut for United against Brighton in League Cup. Wins FA Youth Cup.
1993, Signs professional contract at Old Trafford.
1995, Joins Preston on loan and scores two goals in five games.
1996, Helps Manchester United win the Premier League-FA Cup double. Scores the goal of the season on the opening day at Wimbledon, lobbing goalkeeper Neil Sullivan from the halfway line. Makes England debut in 3-0 qualifying win in Moldova.
1997, Collects another championship winners' medal and voted Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year.
1998, Scores first England goal, a free kick against Colombia in Lens in the World Cup. Sent off in second-round penalty shootout defeat against Argentina for kicking Diego Simeone. Vilified by media and fans for the red card, which many believe cost England a place in quarterfinals.
1999, Responds to World Cup disgrace with strong performances for United, which wins the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions Cup. Voted runner-up in World Player of the Year awards behind Brazilian Rivaldo. Marries Spice Girl singer Victoria Adams three months after birth of son Brooklyn.
2000, Sent off in United's opening World Club Championship match against Mexican side Necaxa for high challenge on Jose Milian. Left out of United's team for the Premier League match against Leeds following reports of training ground argument with manager Alex Ferguson. Collects fourth championship medal as United win the league title by a record 18 points. Aims one-finger gesture at abusive England fans following defeat in the opening game of Euro 2000 championships against Portugal. England eliminated in group stages of the tournament. Named England captain for first time in November friendly with Italy by interim coach Peter Taylor.
2001, New England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson appoints Beckham captain for his first match in charge, a friendly against Spain. Collects another league title with Manchester United. Captains England to 5-1 World Cup qualifying win in Germany. Curls in a 25-yard (meter) last-minute free kick against Greece at Old Trafford to earn England a 2-2 draw, ensuring a place in the World Cup. Beckham named runner-up behind Luis Figo in World Footballer of Year award.
2002, Victoria Beckham gives birth to second son, Romeo. Beckham breaks bone in left foot in two-footed tackle by Deportivo's Pedro Duscher in second leg of Champions League quarterfinals. Signs new three-year contract with United reported to be worth between 90,000 and 100,000 pounds ($US148,000 to $164,000) a week. Scores on a penalty kick against Argentina to seal a 1-0 World Cup win. England loses in quarterfinals to eventual winners Brazil. Scores against Slovakia and Macedonia as England start Euro 2004 qualifying campaign with a win and a draw.
2003, Ferguson accidentally kicks a boot in Beckham's face following a loss to Arsenal in the FA Cup. Beckham left with a cut over his left eye. Beckham left out of starting lineup for United's crucial Champions League quarterfinal second-leg game with Real Madrid at Old Trafford. Beckham scores twice as a substitute but the Red Devils lose 6-5 on aggregate. Beckham suffers a fractured bone in right wrist in a 2-1 friendly victory over South Africa. Manchester United admit Italian and Spanish clubs have expressed a ``firm interest'' in signing Beckham. United accept transfer bid from Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta. Beckham's agents say he's being used as ``political pawn'' and won't speak with Laporta. Laporta wins election and says he'll try to convince Beckham to join Barcelona. On June 17, Manchester and Real Madrid announce that Beckham will join the Spanish club in a four-year deal worth 35 million Euros (US$41.35 million).