- Title: USA: English soccer star David Beckham presented to fans and media in Los Angeles
- Date: 20th July 2007
- Summary: FANS CHEERING FROM STANDS DAVID BECKHAM ENTERING PITCH/ WAVING AT FANS/ WALKING ONTO PITCH LEVEL DAIS FOR PRESS CONFERENCE CHEERING FANS FROM STANDS
- Embargoed: 4th August 2007 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Entertainment,People,Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA436ZG9S9ARDUQR5RZZPMNIZFB
- Story Text: David Beckham launched his Major League Soccer career at a press conference in Los Angeles saying he was looking forward to training with his new team next week and thanking those responsible for making his dream come true.
David Beckham, ready to start his much trumpeted American adventure, was formally introduced as a Los Angeles Galaxy player at the Major League Soccer (MLS) side's home stadium in Carson, California on Friday (July 13).
The England midfielder was paraded in front of an audience of Galaxy season-ticket holders and sponsors' guests at the Home Depot Center before being presented with his new number 23 shirt.
Beckham, who arrived in Los Angeles on Thursday night (July 12) with his pop star wife Victoria and their three sons, told the crowd he was looking forward to one of the biggest challenges of his career.
"Now my family have now moved to Los Angeles. Something we're looking forward to, something we're very proud of. And in our life, everything's perfect. For me the most important thing is my family. The second thing is the foot..., is the soccer, I'll get used to that at some point, I'm sorry. So onto my new challenge. This is one of the biggest challenges that I've ever taken on in my career. To move to a different country - the other side of the world - something that I'm looking forward to. I think that potentially, in the states, soccer could be as big as it is everywhere else around the world. And I believe, and I'm very proud to be part of that and going to be part of that for the next five years, and maybe a few more years later, " Beckham said. David Beckham wore a light grey suit and his wife Victoria looked posh in a purple dress on Friday (July 13) as a throng of fans in soccer shirts reflected the storied life of one of the world's best-known players.
Girls screamed and fans wore their hearts on their shirts -- the red of Manchester United, white of Real Madrid, white of England and the gold, white and blue of Beckham's new team, the Los Angeles Galaxy -- to greet the British star on his official arrival to U.S. professional soccer. One of the world's most marketable sports figures, Beckham is expected to earn an estimated $250 million with the Galaxy financed heavily by endorsements and has set his sights on taking U.S. soccer to a new level.
"I am very excited that he has come here to the states, it's going to make soccer here in the United States, it's going to give it a lot more credibility. I'm just looking forward to seeing some games here", said Mike Spira, a resident of Lake Forest, California.
Chanting "We love Beckham" and "There's only one David Beckham," about 2,500 mainly young Americans and British expatriates came to the Galaxy stadium, south of Los Angeles, for a glimpse of their hero.
"I like the guy because he has heart, plays one hundred and ten percent all the time, you know, even when he's hurt he does it. He's just a good footballer. I mean, he's the reason I got into soccer. I'm mainly a basketball player, but he got soccer into me. He's awesome to watch, the way his skill is with the ball is really good. I mean, I tried to get the haircut as you can see", said Tony Rodriguez, a David Beckham fan.
Victoria Beckham, known as "Posh" from her past in the Spice Girls pop group, posed separately before some 700 photographers, reporters and cameramen who had traveled from as far afield as Australia and Britain for the presentation. "They're style icons, just in general the lines they do, everything from clothing, sunglasses, they're just, they're amazing mass producers of everything that is Beckham, you know. I was in love with the Spice Girls when I was little so Victoria being here and me getting to see her was absolutely amazing," said Rhapsody Arthao, a resident of Los Angeles, California.
In a 20-minute ceremony, capped by a burst of blue, white and gold confetti, 32 year old Beckham looked shy as he thanked the fans for their support. Beckham is scheduled to report for training on Monday (July 16) before making his first appearance for the Galaxy in an exhibition match with FA Cup holders Chelsea on July 21. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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