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| Galaxy owners defend Beckham move | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The owners of LA Galaxy have denied that money or celebrity lifestyle are the reasons behind David Beckham's decision to move to the US. | |
| Beckham's five-year deal with the Major Soccer League club is worth £128m. | |
| "He is coming here to be a soccer player," said Tim Leiweke, president of sports and entertainment giant AEG, which owns the Californian team. | |
| "He's not here to make him and (wife) Victoria king and queen of the entertainment industry in LA." | |
| Interview: David Beckham Interview: American sports journalist Sean Wheelock Interview: Former England striker Gary Lineker | Interview: David Beckham Interview: American sports journalist Sean Wheelock Interview: Former England striker Gary Lineker |
| The main thing for me is to improve the soccer and to be part of history David Beckham | |
| Anschutz Entertainment Group is a partner in Beckham's soccer academy in Los Angeles - and Leiweke added: "He's certainly going to bring an audience and a fan base - and an intensity to our sport we've never had. | |
| "But his first priority is to make this a better team and to make the players better players. | |
| "It has been done because he is a very good player - the same age as other professional athletes having an impact in their sports." | |
| Leiweke was speaking at a news conference in Los Angeles on Friday - during which Beckham was interviewed via satellite from Spain. | |
| And Beckham revealed that he had spoken to Tom Cruise about his decision to move to the US. | |
| "I was on the phone to him (Cruise) for about an hour lastnight (Thursday) and an hour the night before," said Beckham. | |
| "Obviously I asked him for his advice because he is a very wise man and a very good friend of mine. It's going to be a big help for us to have friends when we arrive in LA." | |
| Beckham insists that money is not the reason behind his decision - and that he is moving to LA Galaxy to be "part of history". | |
| The 31-year-old, who will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season, told ABC News' Good Morning America on Friday morning: "Of course it's a huge amount of money... an amazing amount. | |
| "I'm going for the life, for my kids and my wife to enjoy it, but the main thing for me is to improve the soccer and to be part of history." | |
| The former England captain reiterated that his move was not financially driven, although he admitted some people were amused by his new salary. | The former England captain reiterated that his move was not financially driven, although he admitted some people were amused by his new salary. |
| "I said yesterday and some people laughed at me, but this move for me is not about the money," he continued. | "I said yesterday and some people laughed at me, but this move for me is not about the money," he continued. |
| His position at Madrid has probably accelerated the move - every top player wants to play Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson | His position at Madrid has probably accelerated the move - every top player wants to play Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson |
| "I think soccer can be a lot bigger in the US. From a young age kids are brought up with soccer, then they seem to go into other areas. | "I think soccer can be a lot bigger in the US. From a young age kids are brought up with soccer, then they seem to go into other areas. |
| "Hopefully that's what I'll be there for, to pass my experience on to them." | "Hopefully that's what I'll be there for, to pass my experience on to them." |
| Beckham is reported to have turned down offers in England in order to play in the US, a decision which did not surprise his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson. | Beckham is reported to have turned down offers in England in order to play in the US, a decision which did not surprise his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson. |
| "I anticipated that. It was to be expected he would go to America," said the United boss. | "I anticipated that. It was to be expected he would go to America," said the United boss. |
| "Having played for us and deep down being a United fan he would not have come back to another English club. | "Having played for us and deep down being a United fan he would not have come back to another English club. |
| "We wish him well. He was a terrific player for United. It is a big career change, playing for Real Madrid and going to America." | |
| 606 DEBATE: Your views on Beckham's move | 606 DEBATE: Your views on Beckham's move |
| Unless Real win a trophy this season, Beckham will leave the club after a four-year spell without adding to his major honours. | Unless Real win a trophy this season, Beckham will leave the club after a four-year spell without adding to his major honours. |
| Real president Ramon Calderon described Beckham as a "gentleman" and said he understood the midfielder's decision not to sign a new contract after falling out of favour with manager Fabio Capello. | |
| "We have to thank Beckham for being a gentleman in the four years he has been at Real Madrid," Calderon told the Real Madrid website. | "We have to thank Beckham for being a gentleman in the four years he has been at Real Madrid," Calderon told the Real Madrid website. |
| "Beckham's agent told us that they had a very interesting offer and in the end, it has been the best situation for both parties and we must celebrate it." | |
| Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas described his team-mate as a "magnificent person". | Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas described his team-mate as a "magnificent person". |
| "It's a pity," said Casillas. | "It's a pity," said Casillas. |
| "Those of us who have known him believe him to be a great player and a great professional. He has given everything to Real Madrid." | |