Serie A - Milan confirm deal for Beckham

Reuters - Mon, 02 Nov 17:39:00 2009

David Beckham will rejoin Milan on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy in January, boosting his hopes of a England World Cup squad place.

David Beckham during his first spell at Milan - 0

The 34-year-old midfielder will stay in Italy from January to June before returning to Galaxy and Major League Soccer.

Beckham, who made the same move last season, wanted to repeat the loan after England coach Fabio Capello said he needed to be playing in Europe to remain a contender for the squad for the World Cup starting in South Africa on June 11.

"I need to give myself the best chance possible to make the World Cup squad and playing for Milan on loan will help me to do that," Beckham said.

"I genuinely enjoyed my time at Milan and I look forward to meeting the players and staff again. I'm committed to LA Galaxy and MLS in the long term and remain as passionate as ever about growing the game of soccer in America."

The former England captain has mainly been used as a substitute by Capello, who was not prepared to consider the country's most capped outfield player if he was out of action during MLS's long close season from November to March.

His second loan, the financial details of which have not been released, has been in the pipeline for months despite reports some English Premier League clubs were interested.

"We are very happy to re-see David Beckham in the red and black shirt after the splendid experience of last season," Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani said.

"We are sure that this period in Europe will help the player to take part in the next World Cup and then to continue his career at Los Angeles Galaxy, whom we thank for their help."

Beckham upset Galaxy fans and officials last season when he decided to stay in Italy until the end of the campaign rather than return to Los Angeles in March under the original deal.

He missed the start of the MLS season and when he returned to Galaxy in July, one of the world's most famous players was booed by his own fans in a friendly ironically against Milan.

His relationship with Galaxy fans has improved however, after he helped the team win their MLS division last month and qualify for the play-offs.

Galaxy officials also made it clear that as long as Beckham again returned to the US to complete his deal until 2012, they would assist him in finding another loan to Europe.

"We are pleased to finalise David's loan to Milan and we look forward to his return to the Galaxy after the 2010 World Cup," Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena said.

Beckham impressed early in his first spell at the San Siro, providing some much needed crosses to the stuttering Serie A side, but his form faded towards the end of last season.

Much has changed at Milan since May, with coach Carlo Ancelotti heading to Chelsea and being replaced by Leonardo.

The Rossoneri had a dreadful start to this season but their campaign has recently been re-ignited.

Leonardo has welcomed Beckham's return but a recent switch to a 4-3-3 formation may not especially suit the winger.

Ghanaian striker Dominic Adiyiah will also join in January.

Reuters

Comment 14 - 33 of 33

Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

  1. The Galaxy gave David Beckham a great deal of money to­ become a figurehead for promoting soccer in the USA. ­ He has repaid them by saving his best efforts for AC­ Milan. Beckham, go to Italy and don't come back.

    From bobo1854427, on Tue 3 Nov 2:42PM

  2. Who can blame the guy for trying to secure his place in­ the England team for next year!
    I for one hope he does­ get in the England squad, even if he just comes on for­ the last 15 minutes, he can turn games around.
    Can­ anyone tell me how many caps he is from overtaking­ Peter Shilton?

    From lee.cooper21, on Tue 3 Nov 9:50AM

  3. It must be truly great to be David Beckham. He is­ signed by LA Galaxy in his beloved California, so he­ can go hob-nobbing with Tom Cruise with his million­ dollars a week salary, and gets a loan deal to a top­ Italian side with Champion's League football and­ fast-track to the World Cup next year. To quote Michael­ Palin in Monty Python's Life Of­ Brian......."You lucky, lucky b**tard!"

    From Rock and Roll Machine, on Tue 3 Nov 9:42AM
  4. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I love sports. Feel free to view my se xual photos---­ under "JennyXA" @ Afro M i n gle - c - o - m-­ -- where you- can

    find

    many

    nice

    sports---­

    BABES:)

    From jennysomkolp, on Tue 3 Nov 5:40AM

  5. It seems that player was bigger than club nowadays. A­ club like Galaxy can sacrifice finding a club for a­ player they own for their purpose. we cannot deny­ beckham was a good player, but based on this. I would­ conclude his move to US was for money and his wife!! I­ don't understand why people should support him?? is­ it?

    From mun c, on Tue 3 Nov 4:19AM

  6. jennysomkolp you are a sl.ut

    From ninja_king_returns, on Tue 3 Nov 2:26AM
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    cannae wait tae see him miss the penalty that will­ knock the scum of the earth oot the world cup.

    From inverkenny, on Tue 3 Nov 1:41AM
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I love sports. Feel free to view my se xual photos---­ under "JennyXA" @ Afro M i n gle - c - o - m-­ -- where you- can

    find

    many

    nice

    sports---­

    BABES:)

    From jennysomkolp, on Tue 3 Nov 1:40AM

  9. Beckham is one of the highest professional level that­ besides its enormous technical quality only stops­ running when the referee whistles. It's sure to­ bring more quality to the squad in Milan.

    From Pedro, on Tue 3 Nov 12:24AM

  10. lucy.webb1066, i am of the opinion that you will­ forever be ashamed to be human as long as Becks remains­ on ground. Nonsense!

    For those of you who hate for­ apparently no reason but ignorant, yal gonna die of­ hypertension. If the like of beck is in your family­ would you call him money sucker? Heck no, so yal just­ shut up.

    Becks, carry on, i will love to see you in SA­ 10. Only few players equals you lately. You remain a­ legend for England, to cap it all is to feature in SA­ 10...thats it.

    From Dynamic, on Mon 2 Nov 11:40PM

  11. I don't care whether the Yanks call it soccer or­ football. The joke is that in American football they­ only actually kick the ball with a foot on a conversion­ attempt. That means only one or two use their feet. It­ is a joke game.

    From taff, on Mon 2 Nov 11:37PM

  12. Diamond T, ur a stupid @#$%... Did u know Beckham paid­ over 10 million to Galaxy last season to stay in­ milan..he wants to play in world cup.. so shut up..

    From Josh, on Mon 2 Nov 11:25PM

  13. Does anyone know if he will keep the number 32 for­ Milan? Would like to get a shirt printed. Thanks.

    From euge1878, on Mon 2 Nov 10:31PM
  14. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Another over rated and over paid so called sports­ person.Time he and his wife faded away or have they not­ got enough money yet.!!!

    From Diamond T, on Mon 2 Nov 10:11PM

  15. You all slag Beckham off, but in truth he is a good­ player and hopefully will prove you muppets wrong come­ next summer.

    From lee, on Mon 2 Nov 10:04PM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    who cares he is a clothes horse and well past his best.

    From supernickbnp, on Mon 2 Nov 9:58PM

  17. Just leave them altogether. I don't know what you­ were thinking when you signed in the first place and­ said "i want to change soccer in the US" Pele­ tried and failed; you are not Pele are you?

    From eurosportcommentator, on Mon 2 Nov 9:16PM

  18. americans dont understand why he needs to play in­ europe.he needs to in order to have a place in the­ england squad for the world cup and get him playin­ proper football.not bloody soccer as the yanks calls­ it.MLS is not as competitive as the european league­ counterparts.

    From theonebehindthewheel, on Mon 2 Nov 8:59PM
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    ALL ENGLISH FOOTBALL
    PREMIER LEAGUE – FA CUP – CARLING­ CUP
    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – UEFA CUP

    WATCH ALL MATCHES ON­ INTERNET: PREMIER LEAGUE, FA CUP, CHAMPIONSHIP,­ CARLING CUP, LIGA, SERIE A, BUNDESLIGA, LIGUE 1,­ CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, EUROPA LEAGUE, QUALIFICATION WORLD­ CUP 2010, BRASILERAO, EREDIVISIE AND MUCH MORE

    ALL­ THE HIGH_LIGHTS OF PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHES

    From WWW.PREMIERSHIP.ALTERVISTA.ORG, on Mon 2 Nov 8:56PM

  20. whats wrong with all of you i think your jealus as­ becks is a great player and should get the chance to­ play in the world cup if you had the chance like­ beskham did you woulnt say no

    From christine.evans73, on Mon 2 Nov 8:54PM
Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account