David Beckham moves to Paris, donates salary to children’s charity

[Steven_Draker]

Hats off to philanthropist David Beckham

 

http://media.t24.com.tr/stories/2013/01/page_david-beckham-paris-saint-germain39de_110451753.jpg

 

"English midfielder David Beckham signed a five-month contract with Paris Saint-Germain, which has spent more on players than any other European soccer club since 2011.

 

Beckham was introduced to the media and fans in Paris today after passing a medical exam. The former England national soccer team captain said he had offers from all over the world, including from clubs in the English Premier League.

 

PSG is tied with Lyon at the top of Ligue 1. The French team, backed by an investment arm of the Qatari government, spent 250 million euros ($338 million) on players including Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva from AC Milan and Argentine attacker Ezequiel Lavezzi from Napoli.

 

The 37-year-old Beckham, who started his career at the Premier League’s Manchester United, had played for Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy since July 2007 and has been a free agent since his contract expired in December. He said he didn’t consider any other English teams because of his ties to Manchester. He said he’ll take several weeks to get fit.

 

“I don’t expect a place in the starting 11, I have to work for that,” Beckham said at a news conference. “I may only be signed until the end of the season, but I’m part of the plan to help this club grow, to help the French league to grow.”

 

Beckham said his salary will go to a children’s charity in Paris. His family will remain in London, where they moved when he left Los Angeles.

Beckham is married to the former Spice Girls singer Victoria Beckham, who was known as Posh Spice. She’s a clothing designer and performed with the re-formed group for the London Olympics’ closing ceremony.

 

Lucky Beckham

“I considered other offers but for me it’s always been about playing football,” he said. “I’ve been lucky to achieve what I have and earned what I have in my career.”

 

Beckham says he doesn’t know which charity will get the funds or how much PSG will pay.

 

“It’s a very good figure,” Beckham said. “It’s one of the things we’re excited about, to give a huge sum to a children’s charity.”

 

Beckham, whose 115 appearances for England’s national team are a record for a non-goalkeeper, attracted attention from clubs worldwide after announcing in November he was leaving the Galaxy.

 

PSG is managed by Carlo Ancelotti, who was in charge of AC Milan when Beckham played on loan with the Italian club. PSG is still in the lucrative Champions League, where it will play Valencia in the round of 16 starting Feb. 12.

 

Final Contract?

Beckham made his debut for Manchester United in 1995 as a 17-year-old and won six Premier League titles, two F.A. Cups and the Champions League.

 

He joined Real Madrid in 2003 and helped that club to the Spanish League title before leaving four years later for Los Angeles, where he won two MLS titles. He spent time on loan at AC Milan in 2009 and 2010 during the MLS offseason.

 

“I’m not sure it’s my last contract,” Beckham said. “People have always speculated it’s my last contract and I’ve kept playing. I want to keep playing as long as possible. Football is my passion, it’s never been about the biggest contract. I’ve always wanted to play for the best teams and with the best players.”

 

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-31/david-beckham-said-to-sign-with-paris-saint-germain-soccer-team.html

[operalover21]

Actually, he makes it clear in the interview that he is not "moving" to Paris. He and his family are staying in the UK. He's just playing there.

[BSR]

Don't get me wrong, it's great that Beckham is donating his soccer salary to charity. But in light of the Socialist-imposed 75% tax rate on salaries over a million Euros, Beckham is in effect giving up only 25% of his TBD salary. And since the lion's share of the Beckhams' income comes from endorsements, by retaining their U.K. residency, Posh & Becks prevent the French Socialists from taking their pound of flesh (or millions of Euros). So the Beckhams get to keep most of the money they earn, a French soccer team is able to sign a superstar despite the avoid-like-The-Plague 75% tax rate, a worthy charity gets a whopping donation ... everybody wins! Well, except the Socialists.

[MFLV]

How about briefs off to Mr Beckham, I'd be more inclined to cheer that !! Lol

[+ deej]

Don't get me wrong, it's great that Beckham is donating his soccer salary to charity. But in light of the Socialist-imposed 75% tax rate on salaries over a million Euros, Beckham is in effect giving up only 25% of his TBD salary. And since the lion's share of the Beckhams' income comes from endorsements, by retaining their U.K. residency, Posh & Becks prevent the French Socialists from taking their pound of flesh (or millions of Euros). So the Beckhams get to keep most of the money they earn, a French soccer team is able to sign a superstar despite the avoid-like-The-Plague 75% tax rate, a worthy charity gets a whopping donation ... everybody wins! Well, except the Socialists.

 

Aside from the fact that this tax has been struck down, your tirade is out of place in this forum.

 

Stand down.