Beckham 'excited' by Real challenge

David Beckham told a Tokyo news conference today that he is relishing the “challenge” of playing for Real Madrid after agreeing to a £25m (€36m) move from Manchester United.

Beckham, in Tokyo with wife Victoria as part of a promotional tour of the Far East, spoke about his move from Manchester United to the Spanish giants in a news conference which appeared on Japanese television.

“I’m very excited to become part of Real Madrid,” said Beckham, who is set to join Real on July 2 after a medical the day before.

“It’s a very exciting experience and it’s going to be a very good challenge for me, on the football field and off it,” added the England captain.

Beckham was a huge hit in Japan when he was there with England during last year’s World Cup finals and the couple received a rapturous welcome when they arrived in Tokyo.

He added: “It’s amazing to be back in Japan. Arriving at the airport was something special, something we’ve never seen as a couple.”