VARIOUS: SOCCER - REAL MADRID FOOTBALL CLUB IN TRAINING WHILE DAVID BECKHAM IS IN JAPAN ON A PROMOTIONAL TOUR.

Record ID: 190174

  • Title: VARIOUS: SOCCER - REAL MADRID FOOTBALL CLUB IN TRAINING WHILE DAVID BECKHAM IS IN JAPAN ON A PROMOTIONAL TOUR.
  • Date: 18th June 2003
  • Summary: NARITA AIRPORT, TOKYO, JAPAN (JUNE 18, 2003) 1. DAVID BECKHAM AND WIFE VICTORIA ARRIVING IN JAPAN ON PROMOTIONAL TOUR MADRID, SPAIN (JUNE 18, 2003) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 2. EXTERIORS OF REAL MADRID'S BERNABEU STAIUM 3. WIDE SHOT OF REAL MADRID PLAYERS ON TRAINING PITCH 4. ZINEDINE ZIDANE RUNNING 5. YOUNG REAL
  • Embargoed: 3rd July 2003 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MADRID, SPAIN AND NARITA, JAPAN
  • City:
  • Country: Japan Spain
  • Reuters ID: LVAA5YTY9NF0H9XXE7JLKZXMZ0VU
  • Story Text: David Beckham willingly gave up his famous number seven
    shirt and accepted Real Madrid's existing salary and contract
    structures to secure his move from Manchester United.



    Real's sporting director Jorge Valdano, speaking at a
    packed news conference at the club's training ground on
    Wednesday, said the England captain had not asked for any
    special treatment as the deal was being arranged.

    "There are already many stars in the Real Madrid dressing
    room," Valdano said. "Beckham had to give up some of his image
    rights and his number and he had to adapt to our salary
    guidelines."
    That will see Beckham losing the number seven shirt he has
    worn for so long for England and Manchester United and
    receiving exactly the same salary as the club's other star
    players such as Ronaldo, Raul, Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo.

    Valdano also ruled out Beckham wearing a number like 77 or
    6+1 to retain the "seven" association.

    "Beckham will follow the norms at Real Madrid and wear a
    free number between one and 25," Valdano said.

    "All the players who have come here in recent years have
    done the same, choosing one of the numbers that has become
    free."
    Real's 35 million euro move to sign Beckham from
    Manchester United came despite the fact that the club already
    have one of the most adventurous sides in the world.

    The problem for coach Vicente del Bosque this season has
    been in defence but Valdano made no apologies for signing
    another high-profile attacking player like Beckham in
    preference to an expensive defender.

    "David Beckham's signing will make us a better club and a
    better team," said Valdano. "It will strengthen our image.

    "He's another star in the team, a highly technical player
    who will give us an extra jump in quality.

    "You can never have too many stars. Beckham is very
    versatile and we're building a squad, not just a team.

    "It's a perfect signing because it keeps both the
    marketing and sporting departments at Real Madrid very happy."


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