David Beckham will leave Real Madrid at the end of
the Spanish season and sign a five-year deal for US side Los Angeles
Galaxy worth $1 million a week.
"After discussing several options with my family and my advisors to
either stay here in Madrid or join other major British and European teams
I have decided to join LA Galaxy and play in the Major League Soccer (MLS)
from August this year," Beckham told reporters.
The 31-year-old former England captain will earn a total $250 million
over the five years.
In a televised interview, Beckham said: "I didn't want to go out there
at 34 years old and for people to turn around and say he's only going
there to get the money. It's not what I'm going out there to do.
"I would like to thank supporters and the people of Madrid who have
made my family and I so welcome in my time here making this an extremely
difficult decision to make," Beckham said.
"I have enjoyed my time here enormously and I am extremely grateful to
the club for giving me an opportunity to play for such a great team and
their amazing fans."
Beckham, who joined the Spanish giants from Manchester United in June
2003, is still one of the most recognisable and marketable sports figures
in the world despite being dropped by England following last year's World
Cup quarter-final exit and has spent much of the Spanish season on the
bench.
