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Post by mape on Jun 17, 2003 17:03:08 GMT -5
Real agrees to deal with Beckham
Associated Press
6/17/2003
MADRID (AP) - Real Madrid agreed to buy England captain David Beckham from Manchester United on Tuesday for 35 million euros ($55 million Cdn).
Both Manchester United and Real Madrid confirmed the four-year deal.
``We are delighted with David's arrival, a strategic signing who will contribute to making us a more competitive club and team,'' Real Madrid sports director Jorge Valdano told the club's Web site.
``Our relationship with Manchester United has been greatly strengthened by this agreement, although it has been David's firm and unflinching will to play for Madrid which has made this possible,'' Valdano said.
Under the terms of the deal, Real Madrid will pay $11.84 million Cdn of the total fee upon completion of the sale and $27.64 million over the next four years in equal instalments.
The remaining $16 million is conditional on Real Madrid's performances in the European Champions League.
Valdano said Beckham will be presented in Madrid on July 2 at the club's headquarters after a routine medical checkup.
``He's not only a good player, he's great professional, he is a player with great technical abilities,'' Valdano said on Radio Marca.
The news came as David Beckham embarked on a promotional tour of the Far East.
``I will always hold precious memories of my time at Manchester United and Old Trafford as well as the players, who 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,'' Beckham said in a statement through his agents, SFX.
``I know that I will always regret it later in life if I had turned down the chance to play at another great club like Real Madrid, which also has world-class players.''
The 13-year veteran of Manchester United and captain of the English national team reportedly fell out this year with United coach Alex Ferguson. The English champion said it was listening to offers for the coveted player.
FC Barcelona seemed to be the leading team to sign the 28-year-old after Joan Laporta announced he had reached a deal with United to get Beckham if he was elected president of the Catalan club.
Laporta won the election Sunday, but Beckham's agent said the midfielder had no plans to talk to Barcelona.
``Our club members should not worry because we have other options in mind,'' Laporta told Catalan television after hearing that Beckham agreed to play for Barcelona archrival.
The transfer means that Real Madrid, nine-time winner of the European Champions Cup, adds yet another superstar to its multimillion dollar ranks. Its lineup already includes Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Raul Gonzalez.
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Post by chocolate st*rfish on Jun 17, 2003 17:44:51 GMT -5
i hope he's gonna break his fuckin legs.. david dickhead! and his dumb bird, too
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Post by MG on Jun 17, 2003 17:52:17 GMT -5
Beckham has been great to United over the last decade. Sorry to see him go but now is probally the best time for him to leave.
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Post by masterplan200 on Jun 17, 2003 22:32:28 GMT -5
Good on him
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Post by daysleeper on Jun 18, 2003 15:00:16 GMT -5
Good lucks becks! he has been a great servant to the club and i am surprised to see him leave. But hopefully he can develop more as a player in a foreign league. the experience will do him good. But i would'nt be at all surprised if he was back in England in 2 or 3 years time to finish his career
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Post by mape on Jun 18, 2003 20:37:35 GMT -5
who has the best free kick and cross in the premiership now?
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Post by mattmightsay on Jun 19, 2003 1:43:12 GMT -5
oh well!!! seeya beckham!! have fun in Japan!
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