Now that the calendar has turned a page into June, anticipation for the arrival of English Soccer Super-Star David Beckham will reach an all-time high as the count-down to the expiration of his contract with Real Madrid winds down. On June 30th Beckham’s Real Madrid contract expires and the superstar will officially become a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy in July. Beckham agreed to terms of a five-year contract with the Galaxy last winter. He will be paid a base salary of $5.5 million per year.
Beckham’s arrival will not be one second too soon. Through June 2, the Galaxy has played seven games and has one victory to show for its effort. At 1-3-3, the Galaxy sit in last place of the MLS Western Division with 6-points tied with Real Salt Lake.
Beckham will make his Galaxy debut when the club hosts English Premier League power Chelsea in an exhibition. The English Super-Star will make his first appearance in a league game on August 5th when the Galaxy visit Toronto FC.
While Beckham’s contract with Real Madrid runs through June 30th, the Spanish super-power will not see him on the pitch as its Premier season is complete. Beckham was picked up by the English National team in somewhat of an unpopular move by some English players due to Beckham’s celebrity status and his likely desire to move on to life in Los Angeles with the Galaxy.
After nearly a year in international exile , Beckham was welcomed home to New Wembley Stadium on Friday by fans with the largest cheer of the night, and applauded when he made his first touch in the opening minute of the exhibition with Team-Brazil. All of his free kicks were greeted with a multitude of camera flashes. When he was substituted in the 77th minute, the 88,745-strong crowd rose for a standing ovation, amid chants of “There’s only one David Beckham.” Beckham applauded and waved to the crowd as he ran off the field. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
