David Beckham’s Manchester United career is officially over after the
club accepted a £25million bid from Real Madrid.
The Old Trafford club’s readiness to sell their prime asset became clear on
Tuesday night when it emerged that the transfer fee involves a payments of
just £5.2 million up front, with the rest of the fee made up in instalments
over the duration of the England captain’s four-year contract at the Spanish
club.
However, statements from all parties indicated that the end of Beckham’s
12-year career at Manchester United was not as acrimonious as had been
expected, with the player paying tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson for his
guidance throughout his career, and Ferguson returning the compliment to the
midfielder who has been at the heart of his team during the most successful
period in the club’s history.
Beckham is expected to be unveiled at the Bernabeu on 2 July after a
medical. He has agreed terms with the nine-time European champions on an
annual salary understood to be £4.3 million before bonuses.
Beckham had been the central figure in the campaign in Joan Laporta’s
successful bid for the presidency of Barcelona, but the midfielder has
snubbed the Catalan club to sign for their arch-rivals. Barcelona’s bid was
flawed by club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League next season.
Beckham’s relationship with the club he had supported as a boy - and manager
Ferguson - had become increasingly strained and it was always a matter of
when, and not if, he left Old Trafford.
However, Beckham left United by holding out an olive branch to Ferguson.
His statement said: "I would like to publicly thank Sir Alex Ferguson for
making me the player I am today.
"I will always hold precious memories of my time at Manchester United and
Old Trafford as well as the players, who I regard as part of my family, and
the brilliant fans who have given me so much support over the years and
continue to do so.
"I recognise that this is an amazing opportunity for me at this stage in my
career and a unique and exciting experience for my family.
"I know that I will always regret it later in life if I had turned down the
chance to play at another great club like Real Madrid, which also has
world-class players.
"I would like to thank other clubs who were interested in signing me
including Barcelona and I wish them every success in the future, but I
really want to play in the Champions League.
"I wish Manchester United the best of luck and led by such an inspirational
captain as Roy Keane, I am sure they will continue to go from strength to
strength."
A spokesman for SFX, Beckham’s advisors, said: "Manchester United have been
professional, fair and open in all of their dealings with David - he will
always have the greatest memories of his time at Old Trafford."
For his part, Ferguson said: "I’ve known David since he was 11 years of age,
and it’s been a pleasure to see him grow and develop into the player he has
become. David has been an integral part of all the successes Manchester
United have achieved in the last decade. I would like to wish him and his
family every success in the future, and thank him for his service to the
club."
Under the terms of the agreement, £5.2m of the total fee will be paid upon
completion of the sale, and £12.3 million over the following four years in
equal instalments.
The remaining £7 million is conditional upon Real Madrid’s performances in
the Champions League. |
