David Beckham is staying at AC Milan to pursue his goal of playing for England at the World Cup.
The 33-year-old midfielder announced on Sunday that a deal had been clinched with the Los Angeles Galaxy to extend his loan contract at Milan until the end of the Serie A season before he returns to the US.
Speaking from Milan, Beckham said he hopes to play in his fourth World Cup at next year’s tournament in South Africa.
PHOTO: AFP
“The obvious [reason for staying at Milan] is giving me the chance to play in the 2010 World Cup,” Beckham said. “I personally have to do everything I can do to be involved in that. Everyone knows how passionate I am about playing for my country and, if it gives me a better chance of being involved in that squad, I’ll do anything possible to make that happen.”
Beckham has spent two years with the Galaxy, but had hoped to make his loan move to Milan permanent. The two clubs couldn’t agree on a transfer fee, so he has agreed to stay at Milan until June 30 before returning to the Galaxy for the rest of the MLS season. After that season ends in November, he is likely to return to Milan either on another loan deal or a permanent transfer.
“I just want to help myself now, to give myself every chance of being involved,” Beckham said. “That’s one of the biggest reasons and what better place to do it than playing with Ronaldinho, Kaka, Pato, Pirlo. There’s so many players I can mention, Paolo Maldini. I’m playing with one of the biggest clubs in the world, with some of the best players in the world.”
“I’m grateful to both clubs for making this dream come true,” Beckham said. “I will be able to play for Milan and Galaxy in the same season, hence keeping with my commitment to Major League Soccer in order to develop football in the USA, which is something I feel really passionate about.”
One spin-off of the time-sharing deal is a friendly between AC Milan and Galaxy in Carson on July 19, Beckham’s “homecoming” game for the US team.
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