Beckham sees 'amazing opportunity' at Madrid

David Beckham has admitted the chance to join Real Madrid was a move he “could not refuse”.

The England skipper will finally end his 14-year association with Manchester United on July 2 after agreeing personal terms and a €35m switch to the nine-times European champions.

Although the deal, which was confirmed after months of speculation – and stern denials from all sides – had been widely expected given the frostiness of the relationship between Beckham and manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the revelation that United will receive just €7m up front for a player valued at eight times that sum when rumours of a departure first started circulating five months ago, emphasises the width of the split.

And, having discovered there would be no room for him at the club he supported as a boy and joined as a trainee when he was just 14, Beckham opted to spurn the advances of new Barcelona president Joan Laporte and join the galaxy of stars at the Catalan giants’ bitterest rivals.

“I know that I will always regret it in later life if I had turned down the chance to play at another great club like Real Madrid,” Beckham said of his decision to join the team who ousted his beloved United from the Champions League quarter-finals just two months ago.

“I would like to thank other clubs who were interested in signing me, including Barcelona, and I wish them every success in the future, but I really want to play in the Champions League.

“I recognise that this is an amazing opportunity for me at this stage of my career and a unique and exciting experience for my family.

“I will always hold precious memories of my time at Manchester United and Old Trafford, as well as the players, whom I regard as part of my family, and the brilliant fans who have given me so much support over the years and continue to do so.

“I would publicly like to thank Sir Alex Ferguson for making me the player I am today.

“I wish Manchester United the best of luck and, led by such an inspirational captain as Roy Keane, I am sure they will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Beckham’s first public duty as a Real player will be to head out to the Far East with his new team-mates on their pre-season tour, where the Spaniards will hope to cash in on his massive popularity by widening their global image.

United were hoping for much the same from the England skipper on their four-match tour of the United States next month, proof of Beckham’s position as a global icon.

Ironically, though, it was that ever-growing status and a perceived lessening in his on-field performances, which persuaded Ferguson it was time to rid himself of the 28-year-old, who is about to embark on a personal tour of the Far East just days after returning from a similar expedition in the States, where he was accompanied by pop star wife Victoria.

While admiring Beckham’s strength of character, Ferguson has long believed the player would pay a price for his massive off-field commitments, even if he stopped short of suggesting so in his departing tribute.

“I’ve known David since he was 11 years of age and it’s been a pleasure to see him grow and develop into the player he has become,” said the United boss.

“David has been an integral part of all the successes that Manchester United have achieved in the last decade. I would like to wish him and his family every success in the future, and thank him for his service to the club.”

While money from the deal should allow United to tie up the signing of Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldinho early next month, plus probably a goalkeeper and central defender to shore up a rearguard Ferguson thought was vulnerable in Europe last term, there is little doubt the Old Trafford outfit will start next season under the most intense glare of publicity for eight years.

That was when Ferguson dispensed with the services of Mark Hughes, Paul Ince and Andrei Kanchelskis, to the incredulity of many supporters.

Their doubts were quickly dispelled though as a team containing a batch of illustrious youngsters, including Beckham, who have gone on to become Old Trafford regulars and England internationals, captured the Double and went on to dominate the Premiership and conquer Europe during their 1999 Treble-winning campaign.

Few will now dispute Ferguson’s right to make such fearless decisions, and certainly not the United board, whose chief executive Peter Kenyon has spent the last few weeks sorting out Beckham’s future with the player’s representatives SFX.

“While we are sad to see David go after so many great years at Old Trafford, we believe this is a good deal for the club,” said Kenyon.

“We now look forward to building on the success of last season’s championship title.”