David Robert Joseph Beckham,[1] OBE[2] (born 2 May 1975) is an English football midfielder currently playing for Major League Soccer club Los Angeles Galaxy[4] and the England national team. He will join Italian Serie A club Milan on a four-month loan beginning 7 January 2009 in order to retain his fitness levels during the MLS offseason.[5] Beckham earned his much-publicised hundredth cap for England against France on 26 March 2008.[6]
He has twice been runner-up for FIFA World Player of the Year,[7] and in 2004 was the world's highest-paid footballer.[8] He was Google's most searched of all sports topics in both 2003 and 2004.[9] Such global recognition has made him an elite advertising brand and a top fashion icon.[10][11] Beckham was captain of England from 15 November 2000[12] to 2 July 2006. He made 58 appearances as captain, and ended his tenure in that role after the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals,[13] however, continued to make contributions for the England national team in competitions after this.[14]
Beckham's career began when he signed a professional contract with Manchester United, making his first-team debut in 1992 aged 17.[7] During his time there, United won the Premier League title six times, the FA Cup twice, and the UEFA Champions League in 1999.[7] He left Manchester United to sign for Real Madrid in 2003, where he remained for four seasons.[15] While at Madrid, Beckham became the first British footballer to play 100 Champions League matches.[7] In his final season, Real clinched the 2006–07 La Liga championship title—Beckham's only major trophy with the club—in the final game of the season on 17 June.[16] In January 2007, it was announced that Beckham would leave Real Madrid and sign a five-year contract with Major League Soccer club Los Angeles Galaxy.[17]
Beckham's contract with Los Angeles Galaxy became effective on 1 July 2007 and gave him the highest player salary in MLS history.[18] He debuted for the team on 21 July in a friendly versus Chelsea at The Home Depot Center,[19] and on 15 August, he had his first start with the team, scoring his first goal in the 2007 SuperLiga semi-final.[20] His first league start then came on 18 August in front of a record crowd at Giants Stadium.[21]
Beckham is married to former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham.[22] The couple have three sons and currently reside in Beverly Hills, California.
