Soccer: Beckham joins Real Madrid

11.30am - By MITCH PHILLIPS

UPDATE - Manchester United's David Beckham will join Real Madrid after the two most glamorous clubs in the world agreed a fee of around 35 million euros for the England captain.

Beckham is expected to earn around six million euros a year plus bonuses at the nine-times European champions and will undergo a medical in Madrid on July 1.

The midfielder, travelling to Japan on Wednesday as part of a promotional tour of Asia for his sponsors, issued a statement through his agents SFX saying he was delighted to move to Spain.

"I recognise that this is an amazing opportunity for me at this stage in my career and a unique and exciting experience for my family," he said.

"I know that I will always regret it later in life if I had turned down the chance to play at another great club like Real Madrid.

"I will always hold precious memories of my time at Manchester United and Old Trafford as well as the players, who I regard as part of my family, and the brilliant fans."

Madrid sporting director Jorge Valdano said: "We are delighted with the arrival of David Beckham. It is a signing that will help us become more competitive."

Italian clubs Inter and AC Milan showed an initial interest in Beckham but a week ago United announced they had agreed a conditional deal to sell him to Barcelona.

Beckham's agents issued a statement saying he was "surprised and disappointed" at United's announcement and within days Barcelona's greatest rivals, Real, emerged as favourites for his signature.

In the last three years Real have held a virtual monopoly on buying the world's best players.

Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Ronaldo, all winners of the World Player of the Year award, have arrived at the Bernabeu for a combined transfer total of more than $160 million (95 million pounds), with Beckham taking the outlay to more than $200 million.


The club won the Champions League, Europe's top trophy, in 2000 and 2002 after selling their training ground to wipe out $240 million in debt.

But even the most star-studded team in the sport's history were not good enough this season as they were knocked out by Juventus in the semi-finals after beating United in the quarters.

While Beckham's immense talent, particularly in delivering deadly crosses and finding the net with fizzing free kicks, will be a boon to Madrid, the Spanish club will also be delighted with the commercial opportunities afforded by one of the most marketable men in the world.

Beckham has been hugely popular at United, a club he joined as a schoolboy, but in the last few years his relationship with manager Alex Ferguson has been strained.

Beckham, married to pop star Victoria Adams and with two young children, leads a high-profile celebrity lifestyle that has not always been appreciated by 61-year-old Ferguson.

The Scot kept Beckham on the bench for several high-profile matches towards the end of the season just finished, sparking the initial speculation that he would be moving overseas.

After United were knocked out of the FA Cup by Arsenal, a furious Ferguson kicked a boot in the changing room which cut Beckham over the eye.

United won the league title but their failure to repeat their Champions League success of 1999 has led Ferguson to re-evaluate his squad.

He apparently decided that to bring in new blood - Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho is top of his shopping list - he would have to raise funds via the sale of the club's most valuable commodity.

London-born Beckham has been at United since signing as a schoolboy and had two years remaining on a contract he signed a year ago.

Peter Kenyon, chief executive of Manchester United, said: "While we are sad to see David go after so many great years at Old Trafford, we believe this is a good deal for the club, and we now look forward to building on the success of last season's championship title."

He is the highest-profile English player to move overseas since Paul Gascoigne left Tottenham Hotspur for Italian club Lazio in 1992.

Very few British players have made a success of such a move. Former Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman has helped Real to two Champions League titles but remains a regular on the substitutes' bench.

Other British players including Gary Lineker, Mark Hughes (both Barcelona), Ian Rush (Juventus) and Paul Ince (Inter Milan) failed to deliver their best form in new surroundings.

Under the terms of Tuesday's deal agreement, 7.5 million euros of the total fee will be paid by Real upon completion of the sale, and 17.5 million euros over the following four years in equal instalments."

The remaining 10 million euros is conditional upon Real Madrid's performances in the Champions League.

- REUTERS

David Beckham factfile:


1975 - Born May 2, Leytonstone, London.


1989 - Signs schoolboy forms with United on 14th birthday
1993 - Joins Manchester United as a trainee.


1995 - Makes United first team league debut aged 19.


1995/96 - Becomes United regular, playing 33 games in league and FA Cup double-winning side.


1996/97 - Scores from halfway line in opening day victory over Wimbledon. Makes England debut in September 1997 World Cup qualifier against Moldova.


1998 - Scores in World Cup against Colombia but goes home in disgrace after being sent off for kicking out at Argentine midfielder Diego Simeone in second-round defeat.


Back in England, faces jeers from opposition fans at every ground. Signs new five-year contract at Old Trafford worth Stg5m ($NZ14.57m).


1999 - March - Becomes a father when fiancee Victoria Adams -- of pop group the Spice Girls -- gives birth to son Brooklyn.


May - Plays key role as United complete the treble of Champions League, premier league and FA Cup.


July - Marries Victoria Adams.


October - Fined two weeks' wages for appearing at a party in London shortly before a Champions League game. Summoned by Football Association for informal meeting to discuss his behaviour after series of bookings.


2000 - January - Comes second in Fifa's world player of the year award behind Brazilian forward Rivaldo.


June - Escapes punishment for making an obscene gesture to abusive England fans after 3-2 defeat by Portugal at Euro 2000.


November - Caretaker manager Peter Taylor names Beckham as England captain for friendly against Italy.


December - Former Germany coach and captain Franz Beckenbauer hails Beckham as the best player in the world.


2001 - February - New England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson retains Beckham as captain for Spain friendly, which England win 3-0.


September - England beat Germany 5-1 in World Cup qualifier in Munich under Beckham's captaincy.


October - Earns England a place in the World Cup finals with a stunning injury time free kick, salvaging a 2-2 draw against Greece.


December - Named BBC Sports Personality of the year.


2002 - April - Breaks a bone in his foot during Champions League quarterfinal against Deportivo Coruna, threatening his participation in World Cup finals. Escapes car crash unharmed.


May - Signs new contract with United on final day of league season, keeping him at club until June 2005.


June - After rapid recovery, scores penalty to beat Argentina in group match, four years on from World Cup sending-off against the South American side. England are knocked out by Brazil in the quarterfinals.


September - Second son, Romeo, born.


2003 - February - Injured by Alex Ferguson after United lose to Arsenal in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Manager kicks a boot in the dressing room which hits Beckham in the face.


April - Left on the bench for vital league game against Arsenal and Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid. Comes on in 64th minute against Real and scores twice but United lose 6-5 on aggregate. Speculation circulates of a possible move to the Spanish side.


May - Beckham breaks his hand during a 2-1 friendly win over South Africa in Durban, and is expected to be in plaster for six to eight weeks.


June - Manchester United confirm a number of Spanish and Italian clubs are interested in recruiting Beckham.


June 10 - United say they have held talks with Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta and are ready to accept a bid for Beckham should Laporta win the election.


June 14 - Awarded OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth.


June 17 - Beckham joins Real Madrid for 35m euros, Manchester United confirm on their website.