He will end his six-year American adventure in the Major League Soccer cup final on December 1 with his next destination unknown
Former England midfielder David Beckham will leave Los Angeles Galaxy in the next two weeks, he has announced.
The 37-year-old will end his six-year American adventure in the cup final against the Houston Dynamo on December 1 with his next destination unknown.
He told the Major League Soccer website: “I’ve had an incredibly special time playing for the LA Galaxy, however, I wanted to experience one last challenge before the end of my playing career.”
The move ends an eventful career in MLS which saw the midfielder become the face of a new era for the sport in North America.
Although Beckham had an option on his contract, signed in January, for another year with the Galaxy, his decision to leave is no great surprise.
Australian football bosses last week claimed they had been approached by the former Manchester United star’s camp with a view to the player spending a short stint in the A-League, though his spokesman described that as “rubbish”.
Another possible option may be the Chinese Super League, where ex-Chelsea strikers Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka headed for big money this season.
In a bizarre twist yesterday, rapper Snoop Dogg claimed he was interested in investing in Celtic and bringing Becks to Scotland,
He said: “I would try and sign him up for a season… I would have to at least make that offer to my boy.
“We have lunch when we can, so next time, you know, I am going to speak to him about it. Never say never.”
His final game will take place at the Galaxy’s own Home Depot Center, where he arrived on the American stage as the first designated player in MLS back in 2007.
“I don’t see this as the end of my relationship with the league as my ambition is to be part of the ownership structure in the future,” Beckham added.
Beckham’s contract with the league included a clause allowing him to be involved in owning an expansion team down the line.
He was brought to America as much for the effect of his brand as his on-field ability, and MLS commissioner Don Garber believes he has been successful in helping to grow the sport.
“When David Beckham signed with the LA Galaxy in 2007, he set out to help grow MLS and the sport of soccer in North America,” he said.
“There is no doubt that MLS is far more popular and important here and abroad than it was when he arrived.
“David has achieved great things on and off the field during his time with the Galaxy, and he will always be an important part of our history. We look forward to his continued involvement with the LA Galaxy and the league.”
Beckham’s stint in Los Angeles brought success in the form of the Galaxy’s third MLS Cup crown last year.
But he also faced repeated criticism from some Galaxy fans, particularly early on in his stay, for a perceived lack of commitment to the cause.
Two loan stints at AC Milan, during the second of which he tore an Achilles tendon, as he attempted to keep his place in the England team did little to help that perception, as well as comments made while in Italy about the standard of football in America.
Two low points arrived back in 2009 when Beckham confronted a fan during a match after his every touch was booed and attracted criticism from team-mate Landon Donovan.
Since then he has won over many supporters, in no small part due to a dramatic upturn in form over the last two seasons, and he was voted the league’s best player by fans earlier this year, although his detractors still remain, particularly among the club’s hardcore fans known as the LA Riot Squad.