David Beckham has conquered the rest of the world as the most recognized soccer player around. Now, he’s beginning his march across America.
Taking the first step Thursday, Beckham announced a five-year deal to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy, starting this summer.
Beckham’s first task? Converting football, baseball and basketball-crazed Americans into soccer fans.
That could be his biggest hurdle since the United States is the last  and largest  market where Beckham’s cult of personality has few believers. A superstar whose movements have convulsed Asian capitals and helped sell millions of European tabloids has been able to walk American streets in relative anonymity.
“There are so many great sports in America,” said Beckham, the 31-year-old former England captain. “There are so many kids that play baseball, American football, basketball. But soccer is huge all around the world apart from America, so that’s where I want to make a difference with the kids.”
In Los Angeles, Beckham’s mandate calls for raising the profile of an average team in a soccer league that has little respect overseas and less recognition than the University of Southern California football team.
“I’m going out there to hopefully build a club and team that’s got a lot of potential,” Beckham said. “I think that’s what excites me.”
Beckham will become the biggest star to play U.S. professional soccer since Pele and Franz Beckenbauer were in the now-defunct North American Soccer League in the 1970s.
The Galaxy didn’t say exactly what they’ll pay him, but floated a figure of $250 million in salary and commercial endorsements over the five years of his contract. In other words, his move could be worth $1 million a week.
Beckham has not found much success since he moved to Spanish team Real Madrid in 2003 from Manchester United, where he won six league titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League title. He has no major trophies with the nine-time European Cup champions.
Beckham started only five of 25 matches for Real Madrid this season. He turned down a two-year contract extension from Real Madrid, where his fading skills left him on the bench. He’ll start for the Galaxy. [Source]
