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David Beckham Coming To America

In what could be the biggest boost to domestic American Soccer ever, its being reported that soccer super-star and sex symbol David Beckham may will cross the pond to play soccer in America.

International soccer superstar David Beckham is expected to come to America to play for a U.S. Major League Soccer team.

“I’ve played now for two of the biggest clubs in the world. I’ve played at the highest level for 15 years, and now I think I need another challenge,” Beckham said.

The announcement has the sports world buzzing.

With his star power (and his wife’s), I’m guessing he lands in Los Angeles or New York to play. When you get a player like Beckham, you need him in the biggest market for the biggest impact.

Update: Beckham is coming to Los Angeles:

LONDON (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.

More at ESPN.

UPDATE (James Joyner): I’d note that Pele, the biggest soccer star ever, came to New York a generation ago and couldn’t catapult soccer into the big time in America. I can’t imagine Beckham will be any more successful.

Update (Mister Biggs): Pele is the best ever, but I think the US fans know more about soccer than they did ~30 years ago. Plus Beckham brings something Pele didn’t, Posh Spice and in the celebrity obsessed culture he’ll get more face time in the press than any soccer player in America ever has.

More here, here, here, and here.

 
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