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David Beckham

Current club: Los Angeles Galaxy
Number: 23
Personal website: www.davidbeckhamvn.com

David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE (born 2 May 1975) is an English professional footballer who has just capped off his Real Madrid career in style, with a June 2007 La Liga title. Earlier in the year, he was signed by the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer, and will be introduced formally by them as a player on 13 July 2007. He is also currently a member - and from 2000 to 2006 was the captain - of the England national squad.

In addition to his success on the pitch, Beckham has been recognized by Time magazine as one of the Time 100 (Heroes & Icons), and has received many other accolades for his charitable work and leadership off the pitch. Most recently, he was given the "Britain's Greatest Ambassador" award in May 2007.

In the early part of this decade, Beckham was the world's highest-paid player, and is today well-known as an elite global advertising brand.

Beckham's career began when he signed a professional contract with Manchester United, making his debut first-team appearance in 1992, at the age of 17. While with Manchester United he played a key role in their dominance of the FA Premier League in the 1990s and early 2000s, being pivotal in accomplishing The Treble of the League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League in 1999. He left the club to become only the third Englishman to sign for Real Madrid in 2003, after Laurie Cunningham and Steve McManaman, helping them to win the Supercopa de España in 2003 and the La Liga title in 2007.

Beckham was captain of the English national team from 15 November 2000 to 2 July 2006. Beckham stood down as captain in 2006, after England's quarter-final exit at the World Cup. He was dropped from the England national team squad selected by coach Steve McClaren on 11 August 2006, an exile that lasted nine international games, until 26 May 2007, when McClaren named him as one of the England squad for upcoming games against Brazil and Estonia.

On 10 January 2007, Real Madrid Sporting Director Predrag Mijatovic announced Beckham would leave the club when his contract expires in June 2007. On 11 January 2007, Beckham agreed to a move to the Major League Soccer (MLS) team Los Angeles Galaxy on a five year contract commencing on 1 July 2007, after his existing deal with Real Madrid expires.

On 17 June 2007, he played his final match with Real Madrid, and they won the 2007 La Liga title, their first since Beckham had signed with them.

On 26 June 2007, his first major U.S. ad campaign since finishing with Real Madrid made its debut via the web. Titled "Futbol Meets Football", it pairs him with NFL player Reggie Bush in a 13-week television, radio, and online blitz by adidas.

His new contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy took effect on 1 July 2007, and the team announced that he would be introduced officially to the press and to fans on 13 July in a ceremony also unveiling the team's new colors and uniform design