Galaxy, AC Milan Confirm Loan Deal, Beckham To Return In March
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Beckham To Join AC Milan
In January, Return In March |
Italian Serie A club AC Milan and the MLS Galaxy Thursday issued a joint statement saying MF David Beckham will join Milan's roster on loan from the Galaxy effective in January. The statement goes on to note Beckham remains under contract to the Galaxy "and will return to the club for training and the start of the 2009 MLS season." The statement also mentions that the clubs have "agreed to a technical partnership." Terms were not disclosed (THE DAILY). Galaxy coach Bruce Arena: "He's going to be back in March, and we believe it's right around March 1, and he will be available for our opening game. ... We fully anticipate that this loan is for approximately two months." In L.A., Grahame Jones reports Beckham's exact starting and ending dates with Milan "were left unclear, however, as were most other pertinent details." Neither club "would reveal who would pay Beckham's $541,667-a-month salary during his absence" from the Galaxy. Also, neither club would comment "on the specifics of 'a technical partnership' being formed" between the clubs nor "whether the Galaxy would financially benefit from lending its top player" (L.A. TIMES, 10/31). AC Milan Sporting Dir Umberto Gandini: "He will have to go back to Galaxy by the time the MLS starts and training before that" (Manchester GUARDIAN, 10/31). Gandini also confirmed that AC Milan "do not expect any opportunity to arise which would allow them to sign" Beckham permanently (ESPNSOCCERNET.com, 10/30). The AP's Kevork Djansezian reported Beckham "will likely undergo medical tests Dec. 20 and be introduced a day later, when the club will unveil his jersey number." Beckham is "set to travel with Milan to Dubai for a midwinter training camp, which includes an exhibition," and his first competitive game for Milan "could come" during the January 11 AC Milan-AS Roma game (AP, 10/30).
SQUAD TALK: In London, Oliver Kay notes Arena "had previously suggested that the move had no obvious benefits to his club or MLS," but the Galaxy "have been placated by the sweetener of the technical partnership." And though "it is unclear what form this will take," the Galaxy "will hope to benefit from an exchange of ideas and, in theory, personnel" (LONDON TIMES, 10/31). Also in London, Patrick Nathanson writes Beckham "will bring commercial benefit to AC Milan, but has his work cut out to make an impact on the team." When Beckham joins the club, "he will join the likes of Kaka, Pato and Ronaldinho in a side that is starting to resemble a marketing man's Fantasy Football XI" (London TELEGRAPH, 10/31).
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