Beckham off to LA

Not the world's greatest secret (Real have made it pretty clear over the past few weeks that Becks wouldn't be part of their future plans under Capello) but still big news nonetheless.

David Beckham is moving to the USA to play for the LA Galaxy in MLS.

In a deal worth up to $250m (£128m) over five years.

To play soccer (For any Americans reading. The proper term is of course, football.)

Anyway, old Goldenballs will be 32 by the time he arrives which, due to better diet and fitness regimes, is no longer past-it in football terms but the doubt remains after three and a half trophyless years at Real Madrid whether Becks is past the prime which brought him so much success at Man Utd.

For a while Beckham was a great player who turned it on for Utd and England (Indeed dragging them singlehandedly by the scruff of the neck to Euro2004) and deserved the admiration heaped upon him, especially considering the hatred thrown at him after WorldCup98 when he was stupidly sent off. He deserves plaudits for turning around that situation with his subsequent actions on the pitch, although how much of his popularity is down to his undoubted good looks and former pop star wife rather than his footballing ability is up for argument.

As is whether his presence in LA and MLS will inspire the Yanks to love football the way the rest of the world does. Personally, having lived in NYC for a bit and seen the general non-interest in the sport, I doubt it.

Having said that, during WorldCup02 when the US did very well interest did pick up a bit so it's a possibility that Becks arrival will inspire the younger soccer-playing generation to look at the sport as a career path (Who wouldn't considering the sums involved!).