David Beckham has joined French Ligue 1 table toppers Paris Saint Germain for free.
The 37-year-old former LA Galaxy star has joined the Parisian side on a five-month deal and has revealed he will donate all of his salary to charity.
On the announcement, Beckham said at PSG’s press conference:
“I’m excited, it’s something we’ve been working on and talking about for quite a while.
“I won’t receive any salary. My salary will go to a local children’s charity. That’s one of the things we are excited and proud to do.”
He added:
“It’s something the guys do [PSG management], but obviously it’s a very good figure. That’s one thing were very excited about. To be able to give a huge sum to a children’s charity in Paris is very special.”
The former England had been without a club since he left MLS outfit LA Galaxy in November and has had 12 firm offers in the meantime before he decided to move to the Parc des Princes club.
Beckham’s move to the capital of France will see him team up once more with manager Carlo Ancelotti. The pair had worked together twice, in 2009 and 2010, when Beckham joined Italian giants AC Milan in two separate loan spells.
On being reunited with Ancelotti, Beckham had this to say:
“I was lucky to work with Carlo and Leonardo (director of football) for a few months. Carlo was one of the best managers I’ve played or so it’s exciting on a number of levels.”
PSG currently sit top of Ligue 1 and are through to the last-16 of the UEFA Champions League.
Financially wealthy, due to investment of Qatari owners, the club have spent £200 million in the last 18 months on the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, Lucas Moura and Ezequiel Lavezzi.
The prospect of playing with Swedish talisman Ibrahimovic is one that Beckham is relishing. On the subject he added:
“(Ibrahimovic) is one of the players I’m excited to play alongside. Ibra was someone I’ve watched for many years, in my early days playing for England against Sweden, and I always felt he could be one of the best players in the world.
“I watched a lot of games last year and a lot of games this season. There’s a lot of talent in this team.”
Beckham, who made a record 115 outfield appearances for England, started his playing days at English stalwarts Manchester United, with a loan spell at Preston North End included, before joining illustrious Spanish side Real Madrid. It was from there he went to LA Galaxy with two loan spells at AC Milan in between that stint.
Now at his sixth club, Beckham is unsure whether or not Paris will be his final destination in his glittering playing career.
“I don’t know if this will be my last contract.
“People have been speculating about that for a number of years, but I continue to play and sign contracts. I will see how feel but I want to play as long as possible. My passion is football. It always has been. When I play football it is not about the biggest contract.”
By Luke Augustus
Twitter: @Luke_Augustus29
This photograph was provided by Joscarfas.
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