Broadcasting Time: 2007-01-12

Folks, rememeber where you are at this moment in time because soccer, football, what ever you want to call it. It's about to garner a lot more attention in the World.

Real Madrid's David Beckham kicks the ball during their Champions League Group E soccer match against Olympique Lyon at the Gerland stadium in Lyon in this September 13, 2006 file photo. Beckham will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season and sign a five-year deal for MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy, he told Reuters on Thursday. [Photo: Reuters]

David Beckham is headed to L.A. to play the pro sport. He is thus leaving Real Madrid at the end of the season, and will join Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy signing a five-year deal worth a stunning 248 million US dollars.

"Well, I think it's been a huge decision of mine and my family's now because we've been living in Spain now for four years it will be at the end of this season, and I think now I've played for two of the biggest clubs in the world, I've played at the highest level for 15 years and now I think that I need another challenge."

The 31-year-old, who joined Real from Manchester United in June 2003, is no doubt the most famous player to sign up for Major League Soccer (MLS) since it began in 1996.

Playing for the LA Galaxy brings Beckham closer to his Southern California sports academy.

Beckham's contract with Real runs out at the end of the season and he had been negotiating a new deal that would keep him there until 2009.

But the team wanted Beckham to declare his intentions soon. He didn't so Wednesday Real sporting director Predrag Mijatovic said Beckham's contract with the Spanish giants had not been renewed.

So, he has now declared his intentions. By the way, the Real club later denied that the star midfielder was on his way out, stressing that negotiations over a new deal were still ongoing.

Under FIFA guidelines, Beckham has been able to openly negotiate with other clubs since January 1 because he is in the final six months of his contract.