U.K. Media Discuss David Beckham's Possible Next Career Move

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LONDON - Following late Monday's news that British soccer star David Beckham would leave the L.A. Galaxy after his final competitive game with the club next month, U.K. media on Tuesday suggested he could look for another international challenge.

Beckham, who has four children with wife Victoria Beckham, is managed by music impresario Simon Fuller’s XIX Entertainment.

"I wanted to experience one last challenge before the end of my playing career," Beckham said Monday. "I don't see this as the end of my relationship with the league as my ambition is to be part of the ownership structure in the future."

The BBC and British newspapers in their coverage highlighted that the 37-year-old, known here as "Becks," has brought added attention to the sport in the U.S. And he could now use his celebrity to do the same in another country after he leaves LA.

The Guardian reported that two Australian soccer clubs, the Perth Glory and Melbourne Heart, have already expressed their interest in Beckham.

"The race is on," a tweet from the Perth Glory said on Tuesday.

"What I can say is that it's certainly real, we're putting forward an offer, it's compelling and the opportunity is here for him to come here," the paper quoted an executive for the Melbourne Heart as saying.

The Guardian and other papers also cited talk that Beckham could consider offers from clubs in China, the United Arab Emirates, Paris, England and Brazil. "Wherever he goes, it will bring to an end an eventful career in MLS, in which the mid-fielder became the face of a new era for the sport in North America," the paper said.

The Independent, under the headline "End of the Galaxy Quest: David Beckham to quit LA team next month," wrote that Beckham "was brought to America as much for the effect of his brand as his on-field ability."

Under the heading "So where does he go from here?," the paper also suggested a move to a country that is looking to boost media and fan attention to soccer.

But the Telegraph highlighted that Beckham also had run-ins with fans during his time in LA.

"His loans to European teams, which caused him to miss parts of MLS seasons, angered some Los Angeles fans who displayed their dislike with signs at games that said "Go home fraud" and "Part time player"."

Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com
Twitter: @georgszalai