Bend over America: Becks ‘n’ Posh is coming!
Bend this, TomKat and Brangelina: Becks ‘n’ Posh are coming to Hollywood.And David Beckham didn’t even have to audition to become the next American Idol.
The most recognized player on the planet — fashion icon, tabloid fixture, marketing giant — agreed to a deal Thursday to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer.
Bringing goals, glitz and his Spice Girl wife, Beckham is leading another British invasion, hoping to do for American soccer what the Beatles once did for pop music — make it rock.
Beckham turned down a two-year contract extension from Real Madrid, where his fading skills left the free kick specialist on the bench. He’ll start for the Galaxy and could enter a whole new universe: His deal was ne
gotiated by major entertainment industry players, including the creator of “American Idol.”
The Galaxy didn’t say exactly what they’ll pay him, but floated a figure of $250 million in salary and commercial endorsements over the five years of his contract. In other words, $1 million a week.
A “Bend It Like Beckham” sequel, with more than just a cameo this time? Probably not far behind.
Beckham and his pop star wife, Victoria, should fit in just fine in LA. He opened a soccer academy in Carson, Calif., last year, and she was photographed house-hunting in the area.
A celebrity who draws paparazzi like a movie star, Beckham and his wife regularly find their way onto tabloid and magazine covers. With trendy clothes, rotating hair colors and styles and a glamorous wife, he’s the epitome of the modern mix of celebrity and athlete.
His soccer skills are only part of the equation. He’s David Beckham Inc., a multinational corporation with links to Pepsi, Gillette, Motorola and Adidas.
Beckham, who has failed to win any major titles in 3 1/2 seasons in Madrid, said the time was right for a change.
Beckham will become the biggest star to play soccer in the United States since Pele and Franz Beckenbauer played in the now-defunct North American Soccer League in the 1970s.
MLS even changed its rules on salary caps, clearing the way for Beckham to sign the lucrative deal and become the first player to be signed under the new rule.
Los Angeles opens its season April 8 in Houston, but Beckham is not expected to join the team until August. His four-year contract with Madrid expires at the end of this season.
Beckham has not found much success since he moved to Madrid in 2003 from Manchester United, where he had had won six league titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League title. He has no major trophies with the nine-time European Cup champions.
Before the season started, Beckham led England to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, scoring from a free kick in the second round to beat Ecuador 1-0. He was hurt and watched as England later lost to Portugal.A day after the game, Beckham stepped down as captain of the team. Then, on Aug. 11, England coach Steve McClaren dropped Beckham from the team altogether, signaling the end of his international career.
Beckham was injured when he traveled to Rome to visit Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. Beckham was forced to skip the wedding and return to Madrid to sit on the bench — another sign that his days in Madrid were numbered.