Football: David Beckham Joins PSG
- February 1st, 2013
- Posted by EUEditor
David Beckham has signed to play the coming season with Paris Saint-Germain, one of the world’s most successful, richest, and – from the view of spectators- most rough-and-tumble Football clubs.
AN HONOUR
In Paris, he said he was honoured by the agreement, and that at age 37 he’d received more offers than ever before.
Today’s leading name in soccer Football among general publics, and a major crowd drawer among the Football cognoscenti, he announced his decision just in time for “deadline day†when the professional footballers have to make their deals.
He is the husband of the singer and fashion designer, Victoria Beckham, of the Spice Girls; they have four children.
He’s a devastatingly successful mid-field player, a former England captain, from Manchester United, and later Real Madrid and LA Galaxy.
NOTHING POSH ABOUT PSG
His new club has among the strongest followings in Europe, averaging over 40000 at games, and also, over the years, among the roughest.
The fans can set the tone, and non-adherents who encounter some of these fun-guys on a dark night are advised to cross the street and keep going. The infamous English football hooligans of the 1970s and 1980s would find them hard to out-do.
GLITTERING RECORD
“PSG†nevertheless, on the field, has the longest record as a member of the French premier league, with a glittering championships record.
It is a powerful business controlled by interests from Qatar, and does not hold back looking to buy in the best players.
David Beckham says he will give the proceeds from his new contract, whenever details of that sum come out, to a children’s charity.
He will keep on playing after the five months contract is finished, but could not say for which club.
Reference
BBC Sports, London, “David Beckham leads January deadline day transfer movesâ€, 1.2.13. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21278235, (1.2.13).
Christian Fraser, “David Beckham joins French side Paris Saint-Germain; donates salary to kids’ charityâ€, BBC News, London, 31.1.13. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21288040, (1.2.13).
The Guardian, Manchester, “David Beckham will donate all PSG wages to children’s charity in Parisâ€, 31.1.13. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jan/31/david-beckham-paris-saint-germain1, (1.2.13).
Le Monde, Paris, “David Beckham : ‘J’ai reçu plus d’offres à 37 ans que pendant toute ma carrière’”, (David Beckham: I’ve received more offers at 37 than during my whole career), 1.2.13. http://www.lemonde.fr/, (1.2.13).
Paris Saint-German, Official Website, Paris: http://www.psg.fr/en/Accueil/0/Home, (1.2.13).