Beckham looks to purchase MLS team

David Beckham hopes to take over a MLS franchise once his playing career has finished, according to BBC Sport.

The former England captain agreed to a ‘timeshare’ like deal last week that will allow him to play for both AC Milan and LA Galaxy this year.

The move was slated in the USA where Beckham brings in massive audiences to MLS games which already suffer far lower attendances than many other sports in the USA, but Beckham insists he is still committed to improving the standard of football in America and will look to own his team in the future.

“I have the right to own an MLS franchise, which I will action immediately after I have stopped playing,”Beckham said.“It is something I’m really excited about.”

Elsewhere reports from the Press Association suggest that LA Galaxy manager Bruce Arena hopes to block David Beckham from playing international football for England once he returns to the USA, so that the MLS club can get as much playing time as possible from him when he returns.

Arena said: “I would certainly request that David not be called in, It’s probably not necessary for him to be there and at the appropriate time I will discuss this with David and get his impression as well as contact the English.”

However, the FA have been quick to quash the rumours by telling press:  “Fabio Capello has no plans to make any special exemption with regard to the call-up of any players for England squads.”

Beckham is currently level with Bobby Moore on 108 caps for England and is likely to break the record in the upcoming friendly against Slovakia on 28 March. The 33-year-old has just agreed to a deal that has extended is loan deal at AC Milan until July, at which point he will return to LA Galaxy until the end of the MLS season in November where he will then re-join AC Milan on loan in November 2009 for the rest of the Serie A season.

Source: BBC Sport, Press Association