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Milan claim Beckham loan deal

22/10/2008

AC Milan claim they have reached an agreement with David Beckham to sign the LA Galaxy midfielder on loan during the Major League Soccer off-season.

The Italian club say the 33-year-old former England captain will move to the San Siro for a four-month period once the MLS season finishes next month.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti said: "For me it is a pleasure; Beckham is a serious athlete and a great professional."

Ancelotti added his belief that Beckham would give the Rossoneri one of the strongest squads in Italy, if not Europe.

Club vice-president Adriano Galliani, speaking as he left Malpensa airport ahead of Thursday's Uefa Cup group match against Dutch side Heerenveen, said: "Will he arrive? Yes."

He continued: "Beckham will remain here in Milan on loan for some months, we are speaking with his agent to confirm exactly how long.

"Beckham has chosen Milan. Our squad is ultra competitive, and will remain so, but the arrival of Beckham is something different and exciting."

It is thought the agreement will suit both parties as Beckham was keen to secure regular football over the winter months in order to maintain his fitness levels.

England coach Fabio Capello was quoted last week as saying he would not pick the midfielder in his squads for the international friendlies against Germany in November, Slovakia in March and the proposed match in Spain in February if he was not deemed to be match fit.

Beckham, who has made 107 appearances for his country, needs one more cap to equal World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore as England's most-capped outfield player.