Beckham to part fund Milan switch
Report - Beckham digs deep to seal Milan move
David Beckham has part funded the dual contract between AC Milan and LA Galaxy that allows him to play on in Italy.
Beckham, 33, is to stay on loan at Milan until the end of the season before returning to the United States.
No financial details have been released but the Galaxy said it had been funded jointly by Beckham and Milan.
Beckham also has the option to trigger a release in his contract or remain with the Galaxy at the end of the Major League Soccer season in November.
"Nothing has been concluded on that and we are going to play out the year," said Galaxy coach Bruce Arena.
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"A lot of players show their affection just with words. David Beckham is one of the very few who has shown it with deeds," Galliani told Italian television.
"I won't cite any numbers, but I can say that the player has made an incredible economic commitment, paying a lot of money from his own pocket."
Beckham is likely to play just six home games for the Galaxy during the 2009 MLS season, but Arena suggested his return to the US in the summer would have economic benefits for the Galaxy.
"David has brought a lot of attention to our league and he has been an important part of the league's business plan moving forward," said Arena.
| BECKHAM TIMELINE Jan 07: Joins Galaxy Jan 09: Joins Milan on loan until 8 March Feb 09: Expresses desire to stay in Milan 8 Mar 09: Beckham says it is dream deal to play for both 15 July 09: Due back at Galaxy |
The former England captain had been scheduled to return to Galaxy on 9 March, but wanted to make a permanent move to the San Siro.
"I'm really grateful to the LA Galaxy and AC Milan for making this dream deal happen," said Beckham, who confirmed his family would remain in Los Angeles during his time in Italy, which is set to end on 30 June.
"The perfect result for 2009 would be for me to help Milan to reach the Champions League and for the LA Galaxy to make the play-offs and win the MLS Cup," he added.
After the deal was announced Beckham helped the Rossoneri to a 3-0 win over Atalanta, a result that pushed them five points clear in the final automatic Champions League qualifying spot.
"Beckham has done more than we could have possibly expected from him," said Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti.
"He has settled in very well with the squad and given a huge contribution up to now. He is very professional and we are all very, very happy that he is staying."
The Englishman, who signed a five-year deal with Galaxy in January 2007, moved to Milan in January to stay fit during the MLS off-season and so maintain his bid for an England place.
But Milan have been so impressed with the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star that they moved to keep him for longer.
Beckham has scored two goals in 10 Serie A games during his time with Milan.
The deal follows weeks of negotiations between the two clubs during which Milan baulked at the size of the transfer fee Galaxy were demanding - thought to be around
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