David Beckham

Early Years

Born David Robert Joseph Beckham on May 2, 1975, in Leytonstone, England, Beckham had a young start as an English footballer (soccer player). His parents, Ted Beckham, a kitchen fitter, and Sandra West, a hairdresser, were extreme Manchester United fans.

While Beckham was an excellent cross-country runner, he was most interested in football. At just 11 years old, he received the Bobby Charlton Soccer Skills Award. It was all uphill from there.

He attended Tottenham Hotspur’s school of excellence, as well as Bradenton Prep Academy. On his fourteenth birthday, he signed on to Manchester United’s Youth Training program, representing Essex Schools.

Career

Beckham in action

David Beckham debuted with Manchester United in 1992 and was signed as a pro player for the team in January 1993, at the age of 18. He didn’t become a first team regular until the 1996-1997 season as right midfielder. He won the F.A. Premier League, Cup and Charity Shield all in his first season. Beckham transferred to Real Madrid in June 2003, with the team paying $41 million U.S. to take him on as their midfielder.

Beckham is considered the most marketable player in the world – he’s a talented player, and his celebrity carries beyond the sports world. His deal with Major League Soccer Team L.A. Galaxy for an astounding $250 million five-year contract shows that his superstar image is worth the price tag. He will be leaving Real Madrid at the end of the season when his contract expires.

Career Overview:

• He was voted PFA Young Player of the Year for his 1996-1997 season.
• Beckham scored a goal from the halfway line in the first game of the 1996-1997 season, against Wimbledon.
• Beckham became known for his temper, especially during the 1998 World Cup in France, when he kicked a player in the back of the leg. He also received a red card for tackling a player during the FIFA World Club Championships.
• During his 1998-99 season, Beckham’s United team won the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League (known as the treble).
• He was runner-up twice for the FIFA World Player of the Year Award (1999 and 2001).
• Beckham holds the honor as the only Englishman to score in three different World Cups.
• He was the English national team captain from November 2000 to July 2006.
• Beckham won the game for United at the 2002 World Cup against Argentina.
• He scored from a free kick in the 59th minute at the 2006 World Cup.
• During Beckham’s first 16 matches with Real Madrid, he scored five times.

David and Victoria Beckham

Personal Life

David Beckham first spotted former Spice Girl Victoria “Posh” Adams in one of her music videos in 1996. They began dating in 1997, and were married in July 1999 at Luttrellstown Castle in Ireland. The couple has three sons:

• Brooklyn Joseph, born in March 1999
• Romeo James, born in September 2002
• Cruz David, born in February 2005

In 2005, Rebecca Loos, Beckham’s personal assistant, admitted to having an affair with him. In 2006, model Emma Ryan said she had an affair with Beckham. Beckham called both incidents “ludicrous,” and there seemed to be no repercussions with his marriage to Victoria.

Endorsements and Modeling

Many professional athletes obtain endorsement deals, but Beckham leads the pack. He has a $160 million lifetime deal with Adidas, as well as endorsements for PepsiCo, Vodafone, Marks & Spencer. His line of cologne has allowed him to take on the role of model, appearing in the ads for his own fragrance, David Beckham: Instinct.

No doubt his move to the states will lead to even more lucrative deals. Experts believe that with Beckham’s move to the L.A. Galaxy, he could earn up to $50 million a year between salary, endorsements and profit-sharing.

David Beckham Facts

• In 2005, Beckham opened The David Beckham Academy, a soccer school for children ages eight to 15, in Los Angeles and the UK.
• During his 11 years with United, Beckham scored 85 goals.
• Within hours of the announcement that Beckham would be joining the Galaxy, 1,000 season tickets were sold.
• The Beckhams are good friends with Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.
• Although his name appears in the title of the 2003 hit Bend it Like Beckham, he and his wife were unable to make cameos in the film. The appearance of David and Victoria Beckham at the end of the film is made by look-alike actors.
• David Beckham was the most searched sporting personality on Google in 2003 and 2004.
• In 2005, Beckham became a Goodwill Ambassador, focusing on UNICEF’s Sports for Development program.
• Beckham has nine tattoos, one of which is his wife’s name in Hindi.
• He has a soccer kick named after him (the Beckham).

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