(dailynewyorknews) – Football David Beckham, the star has re-signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy to extend his stay with the team for two years, Major League Soccer announced Wednesday.
Beckham, 36, both known for being an international sex symbol as a sportsman, had the best season of his career five years in MLS in 2011, helping lead the club to their first championship since 2005.
“I saw first hand how football is very popular nowadays States and I am more determined than ever to grow the game here,” Beckham said about the transaction. “My family and I are very happy and settled in the United States and we look forward to spending many more years here.”
Despite “numerous offers from clubs around the world,” said the former England captain, who remains passionate about playing in the United States.
In a moment he hoped to return to Europe in the winter market as part of their attempt to win a place in the Great Britain team for the 2012 Olympic Games in his hometown of London.
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“David had many options and we are very pleased that he was comfortable with not only our organization but also to Los Angeles, and will remain an important part of our club, our families and our city AEG,” Tim Leiweke, president and CEO AEG, said in a statement.
Two-time MLS All-Star Beckham scored 11 goals and 31 for the Galaxy to serve in 74 games. He had a league best four assists in the playoffs last year.
“I felt he was one of the best players of all MLS last season and we could not achieve the success he did without him,” said Bruce Arena, Galaxy general manager and head coach. “We try to replicate that success this season with David again in the uniform of Galaxy”.
Before joining the Galaxy in mid-season in 2007, Beckham played for Real Madrid in the first division in Spain, where he was one of the most recognizable faces of soccer. The former Manchester United star is credited with the growing popularity of this sport in the United States and around the world. A 2002 movie titled “Bend It Like Beckham” paid tribute to the remarkable ability in midfield pieces.
“We have made great progress over the past five years to raise the profile of MLS and the national football stage in the world, and we are encouraged by the results,” said Simon Fuller, Beckham business partner and manager.
“The new contract confirms the commitment to continue our way and make the world’s most popular sport, football is growing in most passionate lovers of the world’s national sport, the United States.”
In the five years since the arrival of Beckham, MLS has seen “exponential growth” of 12 teams in 2006 to 19 teams this season, average attendance was 17,872, Galaxy said in a statement.
Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/18/sport/california-david-beckham/index.html?hpt=isp_c1
