[JohnG]

I think it was always going to be the States for his next club.
See here

[Steven]

I bet Beckham never expected it to end like this. The Real fans will remember him as a hard worker, but ultimately one who never achieved anything. He hasn't really hit the heights of his Old Trafford days since he left Man Utd, and now he is gonna be forgotten by people this side of the Atlantic with his England career dead

[Moviebuff]

Nice & handy .... Hollywood being on the doorstep ..........

[po_man]

128m over 5 year?!?

I tell you what? The boy ain't stupid!!

[Pooon]

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

He hasn't really hit the heights of his Old Trafford days since he left Man Utd

I can't think of any players off hand(bet there is one though) that have been as good for their new club as they were for Utd. Fergie seems to have the knack to know when to offload players at the right time

it does seem a bit sad really how far and how fast beckham has fallen thou. for me he still has the ability to do a good job for a top-flight team either here or in Italy, but no so much in Spain as they don't seem to try to score that many goals from crosses like they do here and Italy

[DJT75]

50million bucks a year, wowza!!

[rio1981]

Good luck to him, he can only increase his profile over there and by the end of his five years he'll be a household name, with many many doors open at the end of his playing career.

I think Beckham was made an unnecessary scapegoat after our World Cup exit, both by the media and then by McLaren.

This was always likely to happen, and whilst he could have turned around and fought it out at a Premiership club, are you really going to pass up this kind of opportunity?

Plus, it keeps the Mrs happy, naturally...

[po_man]

Originally Posted by rio1981

Good luck to him, he can only increase his profile over there and by the end of his five years he'll be a household name, with many many doors open at the end of his playing career.

I think Beckham was made an unnecessary scapegoat after our World Cup exit, both by the media and then by McLaren.

This was always likely to happen, and whilst he could have turned around and fought it out at a Premiership club, are you really going to pass up this kind of opportunity?

Plus, it keeps the Mrs happy, naturally...

Agree entirely - who could refuse an offer like that, particularly at his age. Normally a 30+ yr old player gets a 2 year contract along with slightly lower weekly wages. His LA Galaxy contract is, quite frankly, phenomenal!!
Good luck to him!

[DJT75]

Originally Posted by Pooon

I can't think of any players off hand(bet there is one though) that have been as good for their new club as they were for Utd. Fergie seems to have the knack to know when to offload players at the right time

it does seem a bit sad really how far and how fast beckham has fallen thou. for me he still has the ability to do a good job for a top-flight team either here or in Italy, but no so much in Spain as they don't seem to try to score that many goals from crosses like they do here and Italy

I remember arguing in a pub once that I'd rather Beckham than Zidane because he actually does more for his team - for at least 2 years he did.

I don't think Beckham has dropped that much really, he's just playing for different managers with different ideas & styles. Playing for a completely clueless England manager obviously didn't help either. He could still do a job at a very high level & considering Van Nistelrooy loves someone who can cross a ball, I'm a little surprised he hasn't been given more of a chance at Real this season - stick him out wide, leave him there, he's never beaten a man in his life & never needed to.

Best move for him, he can't go wrong over there whether it's $1million or $50million, don't blame him at all for taking that option.

[rio1981]

Considering how his stock seems to have fallen, this is a "superstar" move for Beckham - I mean, the sort of money we're talking here, this is Michael Jordan proportions, surely?

Can only see this as a positive thing for him.

And besides, it's not as if we should be talking about this as if none of our household names ended up in the States, after all...

[dannius]

I think a lot of fans in this country are too quick to forget how brilliant Beckham was in his prime. On a number of occasions he carried the England team single handedly. I think he has been treated badly by the FA and Steve Mclaren since the World Cup.

Real Madrid have been a shambles over recent years and that is not down to him, it's down to the down right potty men upstairs who sack every manager after they lose a handful of games. Get out while you can I say!

This was always going to be the move he would make as that's where the big money is. Plus at 31 he potentially has got a good few years in him yet.

Good luck to him I say. I'll be interested to see some footage of MLS games on Sky next year.

[overkill]

Originally Posted by rio1981

Considering how his stock seems to have fallen, this is a "superstar" move for Beckham - I mean, the sort of money we're talking here, this is Michael Jordan proportions, surely?

Can only see this as a positive thing for him.

And besides, it's not as if we should be talking about this as if none of our household names ended up in the States, after all...

...........I actually agree! Years ago I would never have said moving to the US could be a good move when you still have at least three-four years of top flight football left in you, but these days, why not? It's not as if he can go anywhere that will pose more of a challenge is it? He's played for Utd at the highest level, and then appeared for Europe's biggest side. Sadly for him they aren't a patch on the team of five years ago, but there you go.

The Yanks are offering good money, he's going to get, as someone, said loads of offers after he's finished playing, and I suppose, best of all the English press aren't even remotely interested in the US scene so those sleazebags may give him some room. It's worth going there just to escape their attention tbh.

I can see why he's done it.

I would agree as well, that while I think he's not playing well enough to warrant an England place, he has taken too much stick for a poor team performance in Germany.

[hottstuff]

Originally Posted by po_man

128m over 5 year?!?

I tell you what? The boy ain't stupid!!

Agreed.He certainly knows how to earn a buck or two , regardless of how crap he is.lol

[Steven]

Yowsers! When the story broke, there was no mention of the $. He's not as good as he was in the 90s, but he needn't be for the US. I understand overkill's point of view, but I think its the right platform for his retirement

Living the American dream right?

[mjn]

and by moving to the states with LA Galaxy....he's earnt me a few quid on paddy power!

[Steve N]

I have to agree with most of the posts here.
I think we must have the most parasitic and destructive media in the world.
It's well known that there were factions of the media that had their own anti Beckham agenda.
Then Mclaren made his "brave/tough" decision to drop Beckham.
I felt at the time that the action lacked integrity.
To my mind it was actually an act of weakness and a self serving device to ingratiate himself with the media and show how "tough" he was.
Real strength would have be to defend Beckham and then use him, or not, as and when he felt it would benefit the team.
Rather than turning it into a circus.
He ended up using Beckham as a scapegoat, to try and raise his own profile by stepping on an easy target.

[Steven]

Steve N, you're right. But the tabloids are getting their comeuppance as they have ever dwindling sales!

[Woodywizz]

Personally I wish him all the best over there - he was tremendous for us and single-handedly won some England games at a time when many of the other players lacked any interest in national pride. There were talks this morning on local radio that Stuart Pearce had expressed an interest - HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA - firstly, Becks would never have played for them - his heart is with Utd (I could have seen him signing for Spurs though because of his Grandad), and secondly City couldn't have afforded £128m over 50 years nevermind over 5yrs.....though I suppose the chance of linking up with Corradi, Samaras, or Dickov must have been extremely appealing

[elliothand]

Can't believe the money he's getting but to be honest they are getting a great player still with massive amounts to give and I really hope he achieves all he can out there. Mclaren was a joke how he readily dumped him from the England team despite him clearly being the most passionate player we had and still one of the best.

[GBDG1]

£492,000 a week.

[ash]

Is he gone on a free?

[ash]

Originally Posted by Lawrenzini

£492,000 a week.

And with low duty on petrol or should I say gas, and not as high income tax I assume, I bet he is laffing!

[stevedster]

£492,000 a week. and thats without sponsorship and advertising revenues

This will make him the highest paid sports star from ANY sport globally for the next few years. Even the likes of Tiger Woods will be trailing him once everything is considered.

[stg]

Originally Posted by ash

Is he gone on a free?

He's leaving in the summer, when his contract expires. So that'd be a yes.

[Woodywizz]

Originally Posted by stevedster

£492,000 a week. and thats without sponsorship and advertising revenues

This will make him the highest paid sports star from ANY sport globally for the next few years. Even the likes of Tiger Woods will be trailing him once everything is considered.

Don't forget Posh's royalties from her lucrative songwriting career as well

I'm guessing they won't be going to a "Ponderosa" for a $5 all-you-can-eat breakfast.

[triplea4uk]

Becks is past it he knows it and mclaren knew it.

He's not getting that a week in wages his contract shows him getting paid so much because he no longer is only getting a small % of royaltys he is getting all of them.

[Woodywizz]

Originally Posted by triplea4uk

Becks is past it he knows it and mclaren knew it.

He's not getting that a week in wages his contract shows him getting paid so much because he no longer is only getting a small % of royaltys he is getting all of them.

Have you seen the contract then?? - please enlighten us all

[ash]

Originally Posted by stg

He's leaving in the summer, when his contract expires. So that'd be a yes.

Okay, I thought he was leaving now.

[starman0147]

Originally Posted by elliothand

Mclaren was a joke how he readily dumped him from the England team despite him clearly being the most passionate player we had and still one of the best.

I think Mclaren was right to drop him, he wasn’t playing well, not getting into the real team and he has just shown how passionate he is by going to America to cash in.

Hes just waved his England career bye bye and even if he plays well you will be questioning the standard of the opposition, plus Mclaren is never going to go over to America to watch him.
I am disappointed that he never returned to England (even play for a team outside the top 4) or stayed in Europe as I do think he has a lot to give and to achieve.

Once was regard as one of the best players in the world he will probably just be seen as a good player when he retires. He will be seen as a player who image preceded his ability and will never be held in the same regard as Scholes or Giggs as great Manchester united players.

It a shame he has to listen to that odd looking no talent wife of his and waving good bye to his reputation at 31 years old is disappointing, look at Henrik Larsson he is 35 he went to helsingborg when he could have stayed at Barcelona and earn a lot money and is now playing at man untied during their 3 month break.
Though you can look at it as strolling through the remainder of your career and getting 128mil for it. How many people would say no to that! On the other hand how much money does he need the guy is already loaded!

[RMCF]

As a Madrid fan I think its my turn to throw in my thoughts.

1st of all the thing that struck me about the whole thing was the money involved. It is insane. I have no idea how LA Galaxy feel they can recoup this money. It is ok for the likes of Real Madrid to pay a player £100,000 per week as they have large sources of revenue. They have proper football pedigree and are an avertising/marketing mans dream. They also got 50% of Beckhams image rights.

I hear figures that DB will be earning $1million PER WEEK !! This is his salary plus sponsorship/marketing etc on top etc. Although I think this is crazy I do have to say well done to him and his marketing people.

I believe DB is an honest, hard-working and talented footballer. But he is not a great footballer in my opinion. There have been dozens and dozens of players well above him in recent years in terms of ability, and indeed there are still loads of players still playing that are much better than him. So in that respect he is marketed very well. LA Galaxy are obviously putting all their eggs in one basket - I wonder what the rest of the team is like, cos I can't see them having any more money to strengthen. And the MLS is still struggling to bring in the crowds in a country cold to 'soccer' at the top level.

It is a good move for him. He won't have to learn another language (not that he learnt any Spanish ), his wife has the shops and celebrity lifestyle, and he gets money that is obscene. If he had decided to come back to the EPL he would have been lucky to get £50k for week and a 2 year deal with an average side.

Overall: Winnder = DB, loser has to be LA Galaxy over the next few years.