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Beckham's Madrid future undecided Beckham agrees to LA Galaxy move
(1 day later)
David Beckham's future at Real Madrid remains unclear after reports that the Spanish club would not offer the former England captain a new contract. David Beckham will leave Real Madrid and join Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy at the end of the season.
Predrag Mijatovic, Real's sporting director, was reported to have told Sky Italia there would be no new contract. The 31-year-old former England captain will sign a five-year deal, reportedly worth £128m.
However, Mijatovic later said his words had been mistranslated and he actually said: "Beckham's contract has not been renewed, yet." Beckham said: "This week Real asked me to make a decision regarding their offer to extend my contract.
Talks regarding a new two-year deal are set to resume on Thursday. "After considering several options to stay in Madrid or join other major British and European teams, I have decided to join LA Galaxy."
Beckham's spokesman Simon Oliveira said Real's offer for Beckham, whose contract expires in June, is "still on the table", although the player has been allowed to speak to other clubs since 1 January about a possible move. onClick="javascript:launchAVConsoleStory('6253521'); return false;" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/video_and_audio/help_guide/4304501.stm">Interview: David Beckham onClick="javascript:launchAVConsoleStory('6254195'); return false;" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/video_and_audio/help_guide/4304501.stm">Interview: LA Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas onClick="javascript:launchAVConsoleStory('6253673'); return false;" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/video_and_audio/help_guide/4304501.stm">Interview: Former England striker Gary Lineker
An exit from the Bernabeu seemed likely, earlier on Wednesday, when Mijatovic was quoted as telling Sky Italia television: "Beckham will leave us, we will not renew his contract with the club." The £128m deal is understood to comprise his salary, existing sponsorship contracts, merchandising shirt sales and a share of the club profits.
class="bodl" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A18782319"> 606 DEBATE: Give your reaction to this news In a statement, Beckham continued: "I would like to thank the supporters and people of Madrid who have made my family and I feel so welcome in my time here, making this an extremely difficult decision to make.
But a spokesman for the club's president, Ramon Calderon, was quick to play down his mistranslated comment. I am proud to have played for two of the biggest clubs in football David Beckham
"There is nothing official confirmed yet on Beckham's future," said spokesman David Jimenez Arribas. "I have enjoyed my time in Spain enormously and I am extremely grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity to play for such a great team and their amazing fans.
Nevertheless, it remains unclear as to whether the former Manchester United star will be plying his trade for Real next season. "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 has been linked with a host of clubs from England, Italy, Spain, France and the United States. "For the rest of this season I will continue to give 100% to my coach, team-mates and fans as I believe manager Fabio Capello will bring this club and its supporters the success they truly deserve."
Beckham has failed to cement a regular place in coach Fabio Capello's side during the current campaign, having started just nine times. Real Madrid confirmed Beckham's departure in a statement, saying: "Both parties have agreed that Beckham will not extend his current contract, which ends on 30 June 2007."
The 31-year-old, who signed for Real for £25m in July 2003, has again been left out of the Real squad for the Copa del Rey tie with Real Betis on Thursday. Beckham left Manchester United in July 2003 to sign for Real, who paid £25m for the midfielder's services.
The other 'Galactico' to have been omitted is Brazil striker Ronaldo, who was tipped by Spanish newspaper AS on Tuesday to leave the Bernabeu along with the former England captain. However, in the three-and-a-half seasons since his arrival, the Spanish giants have failed to win any major trophies.
Beckham was included in the starting XI for the league matches against Getafe, Sevilla and Recreativo Huelva and the Champions League game at Lyon, but Real lost all four encounters. This season has proved particularly disappointing for Beckham, who was dropped by England coach Steve McClaren and then fell out of favour with Real boss Capello.
In the nine matches he has started, Real have been defeated in all but two. How the BBC Sport website broke the news in November
LA Galaxy admitted their interest in signing Beckham in November, when general manager Alexi Lalas told the BBC Sport website of his admiration for the former England captain.
In an exclusive interview, Lalas said: "The Los Angeles Galaxy are looked upon as the jewel of Major League Soccer.
"We play in the best stadium, we have had incredible success over the history of the league, we have had great individual players and great teams. There's a tradition of excellence.
"All of this leads to this race to become the first MLS super club, if you will.
"It is something we aspire to and in order to do that you have to have quality players, a direction and a passion, a good coach and you have to get credibility domestically and internationally.
"Signing players of Beckham's stature would be a wonderful step in the right direction not just for the Galaxy but for soccer in America."
606: DEBATE He's won the FA Cup, Premiership, Champions League, been England captain and played for two of the best sides in the world - if he wants to go and play in America, I don't blame him CR 606: Have your say
Beckham is the biggest name to sign up for Major League Soccer since its inception in 1996 and the most famous player to play club football in the US since Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff competed in the North American Soccer League in the 1970s and early '80s.
LA Galaxy are owned by sports and entertainment giants AEG, who are also partners in Beckham's soccer academy in Los Angeles.
AEG president Timothy J. Leiweke said: "David Beckham will have a greater impact on soccer in America than any athlete has ever had on a sport globally.
"David is truly the only individual that can build the 'bridge' between soccer in America and the rest of the world."