David Beckham Fan Club

After attending the Bobby Charlton Soccer School aged 11, impressing coaches with his natural ability (and becoming skills champion for his age group), David's future was effectively secured when he signed for Manchester United as a trainee in 1991

Following a short spell on loan at Preston North End, David fulfilled a dream when he made his Premier League debut with Manchester United in 1995 against Leeds. During the 1996/97 season, he famously scored from the halfway line (a feat not even the great Pele accomplished) against Wimbledon.

By the turn of the millennium, David was a household name. Not only as a treble winner with United, but also as a world renowned free-kick specialist and an England regular.

It was only a matter of time before he was granted the England captaincy, a major achievement and personal milestone for the player.

Now regarded as one of the world's premier footballers and a hero to fans across the globe, he has established The David Beckham Academy in both London and Los Angeles, an exciting new football school focusing on the development of young players.

Through hard work and determination David realised his dream to be a professional footballer. It's a journey that has taken him around the world to play on the greatest footballing stages for some of the biggest clubs.

And it is a journey that is not yet over.

And so to LA Galaxy. David signed for the North American club in January despite huge interest from clubs around the world. Though sad to leave the Spanish club, David's excitement at the prospect of a fresh challenge was evident.

"I have the chance to take football in America, soccer as they call it, to another level. I'm excited about this opportunity and will be ready for the challenge."

It was a huge move for David, leaving European football for a new start on the other side of the globe. Four years in a foreign country at Real Madrid had prepared him for life away from home, and let's face it, the chance to promote the sport he loves in a country where 'soccer' was not the number one sport, was too good an opportunity to pass up.

LA Galaxy's General Manager, Alexis Lalas (himself an ex-international footballer) also relished the prospect of David Beckham turning out to play in the 'Galaxy's' green and gold strip at the Home Depot Center.

"We hope this will have a huge impact on our fans, who will see a quality player in the prime of his career. We want him to help us to be the top team in MLS and maybe, one day, become the top team in the world."

Beckham has donned Arsenal training kit in a bid to be fit for England.

Beckham has been training with Premier League leaders Arsenal during the Major League Soccer close season in a bid to prove his fitness to Capello ahead of next month's friendly with Switzerland.

"Even if it wasn't just for the 100th cap, for an England game I'd do the same, said Beckham.

"I want to be fit and be available for Mr Capello's first team and first game."

Beckham revealed his fitness after a five-week break from football had surprised him.

"It's a lot better than I thought it was," he said on Sky Sports News.

"I feel great. I've had one day of training with the Arsenal team and three days of training with the fitness trainer."

Beckham revealed he had thoroughly enjoyed working with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger in the past week.

"It's been great. I'm lucky that Arsene Wenger has given me the chance to train with the team," he added.

"It's nice to be with a Premier League team that is obviously so talented. "The players have accepted me really well."

Beckham was guest at honor at a gala dinner hosted by the Football Writers' Association.
Former national team boss Sven-Goran Eriksson led the tributes to him at the event which was also attended by former England coach Steve McClaren and English FA chief executive Brian Barwick.