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Beckham 'seeking early Real exit' | Beckham 'seeking early Real exit' |
(about 5 hours later) | |
David Beckham is working on an early release from his deal with Real Madrid to join up with LA Galaxy, according to Major League Soccer chief Don Garber. | David Beckham is working on an early release from his deal with Real Madrid to join up with LA Galaxy, according to Major League Soccer chief Don Garber. |
The 31-year-old last week agreed to join the American club in August, with six months left on his Real contract. | The 31-year-old last week agreed to join the American club in August, with six months left on his Real contract. |
"I understand his lawyers are working to secure a possible amicable exit from Real. We're not able to pay the buy-out clause," Garber told Marca newspaper. | "I understand his lawyers are working to secure a possible amicable exit from Real. We're not able to pay the buy-out clause," Garber told Marca newspaper. |
"We want him to have it as soon as possible. David's keen to come sooner." | "We want him to have it as soon as possible. David's keen to come sooner." |
Beckham will be hoping to join Galaxy ahead of the start of America's Major League Soccer season, in April. | Beckham will be hoping to join Galaxy ahead of the start of America's Major League Soccer season, in April. |
Real team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy said he is unsure if Beckham, 31, will leave before his Real deal expires in July. | Real team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy said he is unsure if Beckham, 31, will leave before his Real deal expires in July. |
Beckham's representatives have toyed with us for the last two months Real presidentRamon Calderon | |
The Dutch striker, who was also his colleague at Manchester United, said: "I don't have a clue. He will make a decision, maybe he has already made his decision but I don't know anything about that." | The Dutch striker, who was also his colleague at Manchester United, said: "I don't have a clue. He will make a decision, maybe he has already made his decision but I don't know anything about that." |
Meanwhile, Real president Ramon Calderon has expressed his anger that Beckham's representatives did not inform the club of the midfielder's plans. | |
"Beckham's representatives have toyed with us for the last two months," Calderon told Spanish radio station Onda Madrid. | |
"Whenever his representatives met sporting director Predrag Mijatovic, they never informed him or the club that he had agreed a contract with another club. | |
"They never told us that Beckham had made up his decision, that he had bought a house in Los Angeles. | |
"I don't feel that it's right and I certainly don't like it." | |
606: DEBATE Beckham's done nothing wrong - his performances haven't been any better or worse than anyone else at Real BW 606: Have your say | |
Calderon also backed coach Fabio Capello's decision not to play Beckham again. | |
"I can understand Capello's decision to leave Beckham out of the first team. After all, the player has his mind somewhere else," he said. | |
"It's sad because, considering Beckham's time at Madrid, he deserved a better ending at the club than this one." | |
Calderon's words echoed those of Capello, who is also upset that the former England captain signed his contract with LA Galaxy before telling the Spanish side of his decision. | |
"Beckham signed his contract before he spoke with Madrid and for me that doesn't seem right," said Capello. | |
Sporting director Mijatovic also backed Capello's decision not to select Beckham again. | |
He said: "Much has been said over the last few days. The coach took a decision and I respect it. | |
"I think it is logical for a player who has signed a contract with another team to have very limited chances of playing, especially if we take into account that we have many young players who are dying to prove themselves." | |
Beckham was in attendance at the Bernabeu on Sunday as his team-mates beat Real Zaragoza 1-0 in the Primera Liga. | |
"Before the game he was in the dressing room, wishing us well, it was good to see," added Van Nistelrooy. | "Before the game he was in the dressing room, wishing us well, it was good to see," added Van Nistelrooy. |
Beckham fever is ready to take off in the US | |
"His attitude is always good, caring for team, for the club. That's what he will keep doing. | "His attitude is always good, caring for team, for the club. That's what he will keep doing. |
"As players we care for each other and feel for one another if things happen that are not nice for another one. That's what I had with David. | "As players we care for each other and feel for one another if things happen that are not nice for another one. That's what I had with David. |
"We try to support him, be there for him as much as we can. We can't change what has happened, unfortunately." | "We try to support him, be there for him as much as we can. We can't change what has happened, unfortunately." |
Meanwhile, Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton believes Beckham's decision to ply his trade across the Atlantic has ended any chance of a return to the England team. | Meanwhile, Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton believes Beckham's decision to ply his trade across the Atlantic has ended any chance of a return to the England team. |
Beckham, who captained the side and won 94 caps, was dropped by new national team coach Steve McClaren after the 2006 World Cup. | Beckham, who captained the side and won 94 caps, was dropped by new national team coach Steve McClaren after the 2006 World Cup. |
"It is a bit of a shame. He has a lot still to give for England but I think that maybe could be the end of it," said Charlton. | "It is a bit of a shame. He has a lot still to give for England but I think that maybe could be the end of it," said Charlton. |
The World Cup winner added: "It seems it was on the cards that at some time in his career that he would finish up in that sort of position in Hollywood, in Los Angeles. | The World Cup winner added: "It seems it was on the cards that at some time in his career that he would finish up in that sort of position in Hollywood, in Los Angeles. |
"It is very glamorous and he lives a glamorous lifestyle, so I suppose it is fitting." | "It is very glamorous and he lives a glamorous lifestyle, so I suppose it is fitting." |
Beckham's coach-in-waiting at LA Galaxy, ex-Ipswich player Frank Yallop, said the former England skipper would have a key role in his team. | Beckham's coach-in-waiting at LA Galaxy, ex-Ipswich player Frank Yallop, said the former England skipper would have a key role in his team. |
"I'm not giving too much away but I would think he'll play centrally for us," said the former Canada boss. | "I'm not giving too much away but I would think he'll play centrally for us," said the former Canada boss. |
"We need him on the ball as much as possible and that's the best place to play him I would think." | "We need him on the ball as much as possible and that's the best place to play him I would think." |