The Beckhams Land On American Shores

Soccer Superstar Sees Bright Future On West Coast

Amid the pomp reserved for the celebrity elite, David Beckham officially joined the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team on Friday, welcomed by an excited crowd at the Home Depot Center.

Moving from the Spanish top flight to America's Major League Soccer would be a challenge according to the England international, but Beckham said that it was one that he was more than happy to take on: "I've always looked for challenges in my career and something exciting in my life. My family has now moved to Los Angeles. It's something we're looking forward to, something we're very proud of and in our life everything's perfect."

In front of a crowd of 5,000 and joined by dignitaries such as Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, MLS Commish' Don Garber and AEG President Tim Leiweke, Beckham was presented with a plaque marking his arrival.

"This is an important day not just for the Galaxy, not just soccer at the professional level but a great day for the future of soccer," Mayor Villaraigosa told him. 'It should be here in the city of Los Angeles, the city of America's hope and promise, where we come from every corner of the Earth."

According to the soccer star, the attention caused by his arrival is nothing new, and something that he will deal with, though remembering to call the sport 'soccer' may be more problematic.

"For me the most important thing in my life is my family. The second thing is the foo... is the soccer," he stumbled. "I'll get used to that."

If the media attention given to the celebrity couple is any indication, the media spotlight will shine brightly on the Beckhams.

He has already received offers to appear on television talk shows but so far he has turned down the offers as he plans concentrates on settling into his new home and club.

"I've had [the attention] throughout my career, people questioning me doing different things outside of my soccer career," Beckham said. "I've always struck the right balance and I always will do because I've always handled it in the right way.

"I've always made sure that my soccer is my first priority just behind obviously my family. I've always got the right balance and I will do that here."

Beckham is expected to make his debut for the Los Angeles Galaxy when they faceChelsea on July 21st, but the club will need to evaluate the injury to his ankle (picked up in his final game for Real Madrid) before a final decision is made.

Beckham was also optimistic about the future of soccer in the U.S., telling reporters that "Potentially in the states, soccer could be as big as it is everywhere else around the world

"I'm very proud to be part of that and am going to be part of that for the next five years and maybe a few more years later."