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Beckham agrees to LA Galaxy move!
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Topic Started: Jan 11 2007, 06:37 PM (369 Views)
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TC Admin
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Jan 11 2007, 06:37 PM
Post #1
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- "BBC Sport"
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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.
Beckham said: "This week Real asked me to make a decision regarding their offer to extend my contract.
"After considering several options to stay in Madrid or join other major British and European teams, I have decided to join LA Galaxy."
In a statement, Beckham continued: "I would like to thank the supporters and people of Madrid who have made my family and I feel so welcome in my time here, making this an extremely difficult decision to make.
"I have enjoyed my time in Spain enormously and I am extremely grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity to play for such a great team and their amazing fans.
"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.
"For the rest of this season I will continue to give 100% to my coach, team-mates and fans as I believe manager Fabio Capello will bring this club and its supporters the success they truly deserve."
Real Madrid confirmed Beckham's departure in a statement, saying: "Both parties have agreed that Beckham will not extend his current contract, which ends on 30 June 2007."
Beckham left Manchester United in July 2003 to sign for Real, who paid £25m for the midfielder's services.
However, in the three-and-a-half seasons since his arrival, the Spanish giants have failed to win any major trophies.
This season has proved particularly disappointing for Beckham, who was dropped by England coach Steve McClaren and then fell out of favour with Real boss Capello.
LA Galaxy admitted their interest in signing Beckham in November, when general manager Alexi Lalas told the BBC Sport website of his admiration for the former England captain.
In an exclusive interview, Lalas said: "The Los Angeles Galaxy are looked upon as the jewel of Major League Soccer.
"We play in the best stadium, we have had incredible success over the history of the league, we have had great individual players and great teams. There's a tradition of excellence.
"All of this leads to this race to become the first MLS super club, if you will.
"It is something we aspire to and in order to do that you have to have quality players, a direction and a passion, a good coach and you have to get credibility domestically and internationally.
"Signing players of Beckham's stature would be a wonderful step in the right direction not just for the Galaxy but for soccer in America."
Beckham is the biggest name to sign up for Major League Soccer since its inception in 1996 and the most famous player to play club football in the US since Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff competed in the North American Soccer League in the 1970s and early '80s.
LA Galaxy are owned by sports and entertainment giants AEG, who are also partners in Beckham's soccer academy in Los Angeles.
AEG president Timothy J. Leiweke said: "David Beckham will have a greater impact on soccer in America than any athlete has ever had on a sport globally.
"David is truly the only individual that can build the 'bridge' between soccer in America and the rest of the world."
- "MLSnet.com"
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The Los Angeles Galaxy have completed arguably the biggest transaction in MLS history Thursday, signing midfielder David Beckham from Real Madrid.
Beckham has agreed to a five-year deal with the Galaxy. He'll join the club during the summer transfer window after his contract with Real expires on June 30.
"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 a 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.
"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."
The move was made possible by the November implementation of the league's Designated Player rule, which states that a club may sign one player at a salary above the league maximum, with the league paying for the amount up to the maximum and the club picking up the rest.
"David Beckham is a global sports icon who will transcend the sport of soccer in America," said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. "His decision to continue his storied career in Major League Soccer is testament to the fact that America is rapidly becoming a true 'Soccer Nation' with Major League Soccer at the core. In the last few years, MLS has added three new teams, six new owners, four new soccer specific stadiums and signed four long term television agreements. The addition of David Beckham represents another significant step forward for the MLS and the sport."
Under new Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello, Beckham has seen his playing time decrease at the Bernabeu. This season, Beckham has started 10 of Real's 17 games and come off the bench in two more, playing a total of 601 minutes so far. He's scored twice, including once off a free kick, and he's provided one assist.
Perhaps the most well known soccer player in the world, Beckham is renowned for his superior crossing ability and masterful free kicks. His free kick strike against Greece in 2001 sent England to the 2002 World Cup Finals.
Though he has yet to appear for England under new national team boss Steve McClaren since the 2006 World Cup, Beckham has made 94 appearances for his country, good for fifth all-time on the squad. He made his debut for Glenn Hoddle in 1996, and served as captain from late 2000 through this past summer's World Cup.
The winger has scored a total of 17 goals on the national team level. Arguably the most important of them was his penalty kick goal against archrival Argentina in the opening round of the 2002 World Cup. The goal was the only one of the game, providing England with a 1-0 win to help soothe the pain of their shootout loss to the South Americans in the first knockout round in 1998. Beckham was sent off in that defeat.
At the club level, Beckham signed as a trainee with Manchester United in 1991 after playing in the Tottenham Hotspur youth system, and he made his senior debut with the Red Devils two years later.
During a decade-long career with United, Beckham won six English Premiership titles, including in 1999, when the club won the storied "treble" by claiming the Premiership, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League trophies in a single season. Beckham and Man United also captured the FA Cup in 1996. He scored a total of 86 goals with the club.
In 2003, Beckham was sold to Real Madrid for a staggering $41 million. He was part of Real president Florentino Pérez´s campaign to acquire a club of megastars, which also brought Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Ronaldo to the Bernabeu. Despite their star-studded lineup, though, Real haven't been able to win a trophy since the 2002-03 campaign.
In addition to being a talent on the field, Beckham has proven to be a massive boon to the bottom line. When he signed with Real, sales of jerseys and other merchandise skyrocketed, helping Real to eventually overtake United as the richest club in the world
He'll have an interesting CV now: England, Manchester United, Preston (on loan), Real Madrid and LA Galaxy...
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 Credit to Bandit! @TheComplexII
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Tealey
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Jan 11 2007, 07:28 PM
Post #2
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Mali 'Till I Die (Or Become Inactive)
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Apparently he'll be on either £500,000 or $500,000 per week. I can't remember which one.
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- "TC Admin"
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Tealey 
My Trophies:
FIFA Complex Cup x2 (Football) Intercontinental Cup (Football) Winners' Shield (Football) One Day Cricket League x2 (Cricket) ECB Complex Cup (Cricket) World Club Championship (Cricket) Tour vs. USA (Cricket) Test Knockout Cup (Cricket) Top Of The League (NFL)
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ligue1marseille
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Jan 11 2007, 09:15 PM
Post #3
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France/Africa Complex Pundit
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I saw this in computer class I nearly jumped out of my seat. It was obvious that it was going to happen but its the best thing that has ever happened to the MLS. And Im going to academy tryouts on Saturday!!!!!!!! (they changed it from sunday last week)
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***AJ AUXERRE: 2013 COMPLEX CUP WINNERS***
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Lee Vilenski
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Jan 11 2007, 09:21 PM
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- TC Admin
- Jan 11 2007, 06:37 PM
- "BBC Sport"
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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.
Beckham said: "This week Real asked me to make a decision regarding their offer to extend my contract.
"After considering several options to stay in Madrid or join other major British and European teams, I have decided to join LA Galaxy."
In a statement, Beckham continued: "I would like to thank the supporters and people of Madrid who have made my family and I feel so welcome in my time here, making this an extremely difficult decision to make.
"I have enjoyed my time in Spain enormously and I am extremely grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity to play for such a great team and their amazing fans.
"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.
"For the rest of this season I will continue to give 100% to my coach, team-mates and fans as I believe manager Fabio Capello will bring this club and its supporters the success they truly deserve."
Real Madrid confirmed Beckham's departure in a statement, saying: "Both parties have agreed that Beckham will not extend his current contract, which ends on 30 June 2007."
Beckham left Manchester United in July 2003 to sign for Real, who paid £25m for the midfielder's services.
However, in the three-and-a-half seasons since his arrival, the Spanish giants have failed to win any major trophies.
This season has proved particularly disappointing for Beckham, who was dropped by England coach Steve McClaren and then fell out of favour with Real boss Capello.
LA Galaxy admitted their interest in signing Beckham in November, when general manager Alexi Lalas told the BBC Sport website of his admiration for the former England captain.
In an exclusive interview, Lalas said: "The Los Angeles Galaxy are looked upon as the jewel of Major League Soccer.
"We play in the best stadium, we have had incredible success over the history of the league, we have had great individual players and great teams. There's a tradition of excellence.
"All of this leads to this race to become the first MLS super club, if you will.
"It is something we aspire to and in order to do that you have to have quality players, a direction and a passion, a good coach and you have to get credibility domestically and internationally.
"Signing players of Beckham's stature would be a wonderful step in the right direction not just for the Galaxy but for soccer in America."
Beckham is the biggest name to sign up for Major League Soccer since its inception in 1996 and the most famous player to play club football in the US since Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff competed in the North American Soccer League in the 1970s and early '80s.
LA Galaxy are owned by sports and entertainment giants AEG, who are also partners in Beckham's soccer academy in Los Angeles.
AEG president Timothy J. Leiweke said: "David Beckham will have a greater impact on soccer in America than any athlete has ever had on a sport globally.
"David is truly the only individual that can build the 'bridge' between soccer in America and the rest of the world."
- "MLSnet.com"
-
The Los Angeles Galaxy have completed arguably the biggest transaction in MLS history Thursday, signing midfielder David Beckham from Real Madrid.
Beckham has agreed to a five-year deal with the Galaxy. He'll join the club during the summer transfer window after his contract with Real expires on June 30.
"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 a 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.
"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."
The move was made possible by the November implementation of the league's Designated Player rule, which states that a club may sign one player at a salary above the league maximum, with the league paying for the amount up to the maximum and the club picking up the rest.
"David Beckham is a global sports icon who will transcend the sport of soccer in America," said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. "His decision to continue his storied career in Major League Soccer is testament to the fact that America is rapidly becoming a true 'Soccer Nation' with Major League Soccer at the core. In the last few years, MLS has added three new teams, six new owners, four new soccer specific stadiums and signed four long term television agreements. The addition of David Beckham represents another significant step forward for the MLS and the sport."
Under new Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello, Beckham has seen his playing time decrease at the Bernabeu. This season, Beckham has started 10 of Real's 17 games and come off the bench in two more, playing a total of 601 minutes so far. He's scored twice, including once off a free kick, and he's provided one assist.
Perhaps the most well known soccer player in the world, Beckham is renowned for his superior crossing ability and masterful free kicks. His free kick strike against Greece in 2001 sent England to the 2002 World Cup Finals.
Though he has yet to appear for England under new national team boss Steve McClaren since the 2006 World Cup, Beckham has made 94 appearances for his country, good for fifth all-time on the squad. He made his debut for Glenn Hoddle in 1996, and served as captain from late 2000 through this past summer's World Cup.
The winger has scored a total of 17 goals on the national team level. Arguably the most important of them was his penalty kick goal against archrival Argentina in the opening round of the 2002 World Cup. The goal was the only one of the game, providing England with a 1-0 win to help soothe the pain of their shootout loss to the South Americans in the first knockout round in 1998. Beckham was sent off in that defeat.
At the club level, Beckham signed as a trainee with Manchester United in 1991 after playing in the Tottenham Hotspur youth system, and he made his senior debut with the Red Devils two years later.
During a decade-long career with United, Beckham won six English Premiership titles, including in 1999, when the club won the storied "treble" by claiming the Premiership, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League trophies in a single season. Beckham and Man United also captured the FA Cup in 1996. He scored a total of 86 goals with the club.
In 2003, Beckham was sold to Real Madrid for a staggering $41 million. He was part of Real president Florentino Pérez´s campaign to acquire a club of megastars, which also brought Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Ronaldo to the Bernabeu. Despite their star-studded lineup, though, Real haven't been able to win a trophy since the 2002-03 campaign.
In addition to being a talent on the field, Beckham has proven to be a massive boon to the bottom line. When he signed with Real, sales of jerseys and other merchandise skyrocketed, helping Real to eventually overtake United as the richest club in the world
He'll have an interesting CV now: England, Manchester United, Preston (on loan), Real Madrid and LA Galaxy...
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MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!
Sorry for the spam but I mean wow.......
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FMM18 Career! - Poole Town FC!

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hugh
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Jan 11 2007, 10:58 PM
Post #5
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two trophies, many runner-ups.
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finally Beckham playing in a league which he deserves to be in, ever since he left United he has gone downhill. It's ridiculous money <_<
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Rosenborg91
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Jan 12 2007, 07:20 PM
Post #6
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Svart og kvitt gull kjæm te Trondheim by!
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Strange way to go, but I hope this will make the American League more intersting. Maybe the Americans will like football, or soccer, better too
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 Rosenborg - Stolt fortid - Stor fremtid
- ligue1marseille
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hes the forum's "bouncer", fuck with him and you're out of the club
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