Former England captain David Beckham on Monday launched his Major League Soccer franchise in Miami, Florida.
Beckham’s MLS side is a fruition of a clause in his contract after he joined MLS side LA Galaxy from Real Madrid in 2007. The contract included the chance to purchase an expansion team at a reduced rate.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid was granted a cut-price $25 million option to buy his own MLS franchise even though normal franchise licenses cost more than $100 million.
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The MLS side is yet to be named but will play at a 25,000-seater stadium in the city’s Overtown neighbourhood.
Other details like the team’s logo, debut date or year were also not revealed.
The former football star was the cynosure of all eyes as he announced the deal in a glitzy spectacle that brought to an end years of protracted deals and setbacks.
“It’s been a hell of a journey,” Beckham told his audience.
“I’ve got to be honest, it was very difficult. There were times when I sat back and thought, ‘This isn’t going to happen. It’s too difficult, too hard, too many bumps in the road.’ But I don’t give up. Nothing in my career came easy.”
Beckham becomes the first former MLS player to own a team in the league.
