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| June 19, 2003 | Thursday | Rabi-us-Sani 18, 1424 |
Beckham to sign for Real Madrid
LONDON, June 18: Manchester United confirmed on Tuesday that they have agreed to sell David Beckham to Real Madrid in a US$42m deal, ending weeks of feverish speculation about the future of the England captain.
The 28-year-old midfielder has agreed on personal terms with the Spanish giants, and so long as the boards of the two clubs endorse the move.
Madrid radio station Cadena SER said Real offered a four-year contract to Beckham worth around US$7m per season - a similar salary to that of Ronaldo and Luis Figo.
The deal was expected to be completed in July.
Beckham has been linked with a number of Italian and Spanish clubs in recent weeks and was reported to be holding talks with Barcelona - Real’s arch rivals - at some point this week.
Beckham said it was the lure of Champions League football next season - Barcelona have failed to qualify for Europe’s premier club competition - that was the deciding factor.
“I recognize that this is an amazing opportunity for me at this stage in my career and a unique and exciting experience for my family,” he said in a statement.”
“I know that I will always regret it later in life if I had turned down the chance to play at another great club like Real Madrid, which also has world-class players.
“I would like to thank other clubs who were interested in signing me, including Barcelona, and I wish them every success in the future, but I really want to play in the Champions League.”
Beckham’s future at the English champions came under intense scrutiny last season after a simmering row with Sir Alex Ferguson erupted when the United manager kicked a boot during a dressing room tantrum and cut the England captain above the eye.
British media has reported that Ferguson resented the celebrity lifestyle of the fashion-conscious England captain, who is married to pop singer Victoria - or ‘Posh’ - of the Spice Girls.
But Beckham, a Londoner who was spotted by the Old Trafford club as a young schoolboy, paid tribute to the fiery Scotsman for the role he had played in shaping his career.
“I would like to publicly thank Sir Alex Ferguson for making me the player I am today,” he added.
The United manager was also complimentary. “I’ve known David since he was 11 years of age, and it’s been a pleasure to see him grow and develop into the player he has become,” he said.
“David has been an integral part of all the successes that Manchester United have achieved in the last decade. I would like to wish him and his family every success in the future, and thank him for his service to the club,” he added.
Peter Kenyon, chief executive of Manchester United, the most commercially successful and best-supported club in the world, said the deal made financial sense.
“While we are sad to see David go after so many great years at Old Trafford, we believe this is a good deal for the club, and we now look forward to building on the success of last seasons championship title,” he said.
“We wish David all the best in his new career in Spain and thank him for his fantastic contribution to the teams achievements in the last decade,” Kenyon added.—agencies
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