Superstar David Beckham announced on Monday that his final game with the Los Angeles Galaxy will be the upcoming MLS Cup on Dec. 1, fueling speculation about his next career move.
Over the past few weeks it has been rumored that Beckham is interested in joining the A-League in Australia. It was reported by the Australian and the Associated Press last week that after Football Federation Australia released a statement "confirming the interest from Beckham."
"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," Beckham said on Monday, according to the Associated Press.. "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."
The Galaxy are preparing for their second straight MLS Cup appearance after winning their first championship last season against the Houston Dynamo. The two teams will face off again for the championship on Dec. 1.
"Seldom does an athlete redefine a sport and David not only took our franchise to another level but he took our sport to another level," said Tim Leiweke, president and CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns the Galaxy. "It has been an honor and privilege to be a part of his world, and more importantly, to have him be a part of ours."
Over his six seasons with the team, Beckham has appeared in 98 games, while scoring 18 goals and notching 40 assists, which ranks fourth best in Galaxy history. Beckham has led the team to three MLS Cup appearances as well as three-straight first-place regular season finishes.
The 37-year-old star "set an MLS record by becoming the first player ever to register an assist in five consecutive postseason games, including one in all four of the Galaxy's games during their run to the 2011 MLS Cup championship," according to the Associated Press.
This season Beckham has scored seven goals and added five assists while playing in 27 matches with the Galaxy this year. He signed a two-year contract extension in January after his five-year contract expired. Beckham still has one year left on his contract.
"In my time here I have seen the popularity of the game grow every year," Beckham said. "I've been fortunate to win trophies, but more important to me has been the fantastic reception I've had from fans in L.A. and across the States. Soccer's potential has no limits in this wonderful country and I want to always be part of growing it."
Beckham made international news in 2007 when he signed with the Galaxy and decided to join the MLS. At the time, the league was seen as a lower tier of professional soccer, and while the European leagues are still held in higher regard, the MLS has become a much more legitimate sports league and has proven to be competitive. Part of that is due to Beckham and his decision to play in America.
Many worldwide stars have signed to play in the MLS since Beckham came over, including Galaxy teammate Robbie Keane, Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez,
According to the Associated Press, "Since Beckham signed with the Galaxy on January 2007, seven expansion teams -- Montreal, Portland, Vancouver, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Jose and Toronto -- have debuted in Major League Soccer while 15 of the league's 19 teams now play in soccer specific stadiums, up from five prior to 2007."
Beckham's decision has brought attention to the rumors about the Australian A-League and five teams have already confirmed that they have interest in signing the former English captain.
According to ESPN.com, "the Melbourne Heart and Western Sydney Wanderers considered the top contenders due to the cosmopolitan nature of the two cities."
"We're putting forward an offer. It's compelling and the opportunity is here for him to come here," Melbourne Heart chief executive Scott Munn said Tuesday, according to ESPN.com "What I can say is that it's certainly real. ... That is absolutely legitimate," Munn said. "Let's let David get through next week, play the final of the MLS and hopefully he'll have a win. Then I'm sure he'll assess every offer."
Although Beckham's management company denied the reports, the announcement about the MLS Cup only adds fuel to the fire.
"There is always enormous interest from clubs across the world in signing David as a player," Beckham's management company said in a statement last week, according to the Associated Press. "There are absolutely no plans to play in Australia. David is completely focused on the MLS playoffs and winning another championship with the Galaxy."
Beckham would not be the only star in the A-League if he decided to join a team. Both Juventus forward and England striker Emile Heskey have signed contracts to play this season on A-League teams.
During his time with the Galaxy, Beckham was loaned to Inter Milan twice, but those moves were only on a short-term basis. The reports last week said that Beckham might only sign for a "short 10-week stint" in Australia, but that his move would bring much-needed attention to the A-League.
