Archive for July, 2007

David Beckham mini-biography (Wikipedia)

Tuesday, July 31st, 2007

Becks

David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE (pronounced IPA: /’bɛk.əm/) (born 2 May 1975) is an English professional football (soccer) midfielder who plays for Major League Soccer‘s Los Angeles Galaxy. He is also currently a member of the England national team.

He was twice chosen runner-up for FIFA World Player of the Year, and as recently as 2004 was the world’s highest-paid footballer. He is currently the world’s highest salaried team athlete, earning $50 million per year. He was Google‘s most searched of all sports topics in both 2003 and 2004. Such global recognition has made him an elite advertising brand and a top fashion icon.

Beckham was captain of England from 15 November 2000 to 2 July 2006. He made 58 appearances as captain, and ended his tenure in that role after the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals. He continued to make contributions for the England national team in 2007 competitions.

Beckham’s career began when he signed a professional contract with Manchester United, making his first-team debut in 1992 aged 17. During his time there, United won the Premiership title six times, the FA Cup twice, and the UEFA Champions League in 1999. He left Manchester United to sign for Real Madrid in 2003, where he remained for four seasons.

In January 2007, it was announced that Beckham would leave Real Madrid and sign a five-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy. He played his final match with Real on 17 June, after which the team was awarded the 2006-07 La Liga championship.

His new contract with the Galaxy took effect on 1 July 2007. He made his Galaxy debut on 21 July in a friendly versus Chelsea FC at the Home Depot Center.