Bruce: Sunderland sought Beckham

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has revealed he tried to lure former England captain David Beckham to the Stadium of Light last season.

Beckham spent two loans spells with Serie A club AC Milan during the off-season for his regular club the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Bruce, who played briefly with the 35-year-old at Manchester United, admitted he tried to tempt Beckham to make a return to the Premier League last season, but to no avail.

“Certainly I tried to (sign Beckham) 18 months ago,” said Bruce.

“I did try when he went to Milan. Milan or Sunderland or Birmingham or Wigan?”

“He just said ‘thanks Brucie, I’m going to Milan’.”

“I understand that. Milan and Prada or Sunderland and Primark?”

“I still keep in touch with him. I was his captain but he wouldn’t call me skip.”

“I remember Beckham the year I left when we won the league at Middlesbrough and then he got the wonder-goal that put him on the road to stardom at Wimbledon.”

“That coincided with my first game for Birmingham at Crystal Palace. A bit of a come-down.”

Beckham has raised the possibility of another return to Europe before the new MLS season starts in March, but both Arsenal and former club Manchester United have ruled out signing the former England captain on a short-term deal.

“I don’t think so with David at his age,” said Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson. “I have never signed a player at that age have I?”