One of the the world's best soccer teams just got a little better.
Real Madrid bought England captain and Manchester United midfielder David Beckham on Tuesday for US$41.35 million. Beckham will receive an estimated yearly salary of US$7.08 million plus bonuses.
Madrid, a nine-time European Champions Cup winner which is poised to win the Spanish league for the 29th time, already boasts such mega-stars as Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Raul Gonzalez and Roberto Carlos.
PHOTO: AFP
Both Manchester United and Real Madrid confirmed the four-year deal for the English ace and social trendsetter.
"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," Beckham, 28, said in a statement through his agents, SFX.
Madrid sounded just as happy.
"We are delighted with David's arrival, a strategic signing who will contribute to making us a more competitive club and team," Real Madrid sports director Jorge Valdano said on the club's Web site.
Beckham's presentation in Madrid is scheduled for July 2 after a routine medical checkup.
Performance-related pay
Madrid will pay Manchester United US$8.84 million of the total fee upon completion of the transfer and on US$20.63 million over the next four years in equal installments.
The remaining US$11.79 million is conditional on Real Madrid's performances in the European Champions League.
"He's not only a good player, he's great professional, he is a player with great technical abilities," Valdano said on Radio Marca.
The news came as David Beckham embarked on a promotional tour of the Far East, where he is wildly popular.
"I will always hold precious memories of my time at Manchester United and Old Trafford as well as the players, who I regard as part of my family, and the brilliant fans who have given me so much support over the years and continue to do so," Beckham's statement said.
The 13-year veteran of Manchester United reportedly fell out this year with coach Alex Ferguson. The English champion said it was listening to offers for the coveted player.
FC Barcelona seemed to be the leading team to sign Beckham after Joan Laporta announced he had reached a deal with United to get Beckham if he was elected president of the Catalan club.
Laporta won the election Sunday, but Beckham's agent said the midfielder had no plans to talk to Barcelona.
"Our club members should not worry because we have other options in mind," Laporta told Catalan television after hearing that Beckham agreed to play for Barcelona's archrival.
Cultural icon?
Beckham is as much a cultural icon for Britain as he is soccer player, with his ever-evolving haircuts mimicked by many teenagers and jet-set lifestyle with former Spice Girls wife Victoria Adams the envy of many more.
The London-born Beckham is regarded as one of the world's best dead-ball specialists and a very influential player for his club and country. Beckham has helped Manchester United win six of its eight league titles in 11 years.
Beckham was paid a reported ?90,000 (US$143,000) a week at Manchester United and he has a myriad of endorsement and sponsorship deals and is featured on billboard and magazine covers around much of the world.
Beckham has dismissed suggestions of a rift with Ferguson despite several publicized fallouts.
"David has been an integral part of all the success 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," Ferguson said.
Ferguson left his star player on the bench several times last season. In the locker room after a 2-0 loss to Arsenal, Ferguson kicked a soccer boot that accidentally struck Beckham above the left eye.
The England star left Old Trafford with a message of thanks to Ferguson, however.
"I would like to publicly thank Sir Alex Ferguson for making me the player I am today," he said in the statement.
"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. Barcelona will not be playing in that tournament next season," he said.
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