For a man famed for his lucrative promotional deals as much as his sporting prowess, it comes as no surprise that David Beckham's latest move is set to send 'Brand Beckham' soaring. In the most expensive footballing deal ever made, David Beckham will earn £128 million over five years playing for the Los Angeles Galaxy football team.
The contract, announced by David on Thursday, will see the soccer star earning a whopping £70,000 a day. Ex-Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller, a close confidant of Victoria and now a major player in US television, was said to have been instrumental in brokering the deal. The the 31-year-old midfielder plans to leave his Spanish club on a free transfer over the summer, joining the American side in August.
However, Becks has denied he's moving to the States for the money, and claims he is looking forward to raising the profile of the game there. "Another challenge has come up and it is the right time for us to do it," he said in a statement. "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 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 added.
The new deal will certainly have pleased Victoria. The stylish mother of three has made no secret of her enjoyment of the LA lifestyle, and is rumoured to have a whole host of projects lined up stateside, including further fashion lines, home furnishings, and television work.
However, David has admitted the decision was a difficult one to make, and says he enjoyed his time in Spain. "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," he 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."
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