'Very happy' Beckham faces frenzy in Madrid

David Beckham is being unveiled as a Real Madrid player and posing in the club’s white shirt for the first time today.

The England captain, who officially signed his four year contract last night, was due to appear before more than 500 international journalists in the Spanish capital as the media frenzy surrounding his €36m move reaches a climax.

It follows his successful completion of a medical yesterday at which the club doctor declared him to be in “perfect condition”. Beckham said after signing his contract: “I’m really very happy.”

The world’s media will be focused on the 28-year-old midfielder as he pulls on the team strip.

The event at Madrid’s Raimundo Saporta basketball arena is taking place in the presence of legendary former Real Madrid players such as Alfredo di Stefano.

Club president Florentino Perez, who has once again made good his promise to buy the club a world beating footballer each year, is also expected to attend.

In donning the renowned colours, Beckham joins a grand tradition of great players, many of whom, such as Raul, Zidane, Ronaldo, and Figo, grace the current squad.

Beckham, who is in Spain with wife Victoria, is expected to pose in a plain kit, with the question of which team number he is to be assigned still unresolved.

An outbreak of “Beckhamania” among scores of screaming teenagers which yesterday hit the city looks set to continue.

Tuesday’s scenes seemed more akin to those that greet an international pop star rather than a professional footballer.

Beckham swept into Madrid after landing at nearby Torrejon military base just outside the city. He was escorted by a posse of bodyguards, club officials, and police.

Following his medical at a private clinic, club doctor Alfonso del Corral declared: “He is in perfect condition to play for Real Madrid.”