Beckham to join LA Galaxy

Did you see this one coming? Maybe, but it has now been confirmed that David Beckham will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season to join Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy.

The 31-year-old former England captain is set to rake in 'mega-becks', after signing a five year deal, worth a potential $250 million (approx £128 million).

Beckham who left Manchester United in July 2003 for £25m has had three and a half seasons at the Bernabeu in which the ‘Galacticos’ have failed to win any silverware. His form at Madrid has mostly been second to none, and he arguably held is own for the first few seasons amongst some of the world's greats. However, Becks has fallen out of favour with new boss Fabio Capello, a man who is expected to be relieved of his post at the end of the season if it concludes with yet another empty trophy cabinet.

Although highly tipped to join the MLS side, Beckham was widely regarded to still have the ability to play at the top level in Europe, with many major sides, including Inter Milan and a host of Premiership teams reportedly expressing interest in the midfield player.Surely one of the Milan sides would have topped off a glistening career, in which Becks could have arguably claimed to have played for the best sides in England, Spain and Italy, something no Englishman has achieved.

LA Galaxy admitted their interest in signing Beckham in November, on the back of Beckham being dropped from the England team by Steve McClaren and struggling to pin down a place in the Real Madrid starting line-up.

Most will see this move as a step down in his football career, and argue that Beckham his seeking his final major ‘payday’. Or it could be that Victoria Beckham has finally got the transfer she has wanted for all these years! Either way, it seems that this is the wrong footballing decision, and surely spells the end of his international career.

Beckham announced his departure saying: "After considering several options to stay in Madrid or join other major British and European teams, I have decided to join LA Galaxy."

"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 announcement ends weeks of speculation, and with his future finally settled, Beckham will want to concentrate the rest of this season on getting the silverware with the Spanish Giants which he has desperately sought after since signing.