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Beckham signs up for last tango in Paris St Germain

Updated: 2013-02-01 09:39
( Agencies)

Longer hair

Beckham, who won six Premier League titles and the 1999 Champions Leagu ewith United, could step on the Geoffroy Guichard pitch in St Etienne for the first time since he was sent off playing for England in a World Cup match against Argentina in 1998.

At that time, the Englishman had longer hair and boyish looks. He is now the second oldest player in Ligue 1, a league he is keen to help grow.

Beckham signs up for last tango in Paris St Germain

Soccer player David Beckham arrives for a news conference in Paris, Jan 31, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

"He may struggle at the highest European level, but he's got what it takes to be good in the French League," former PSG goalkeeper Jerome Alonzo told Reuters.

"I might have only signed until the end of the season, but I consider myself to be part of the future of this club: in helping this club to grow and the French league to grow, and to help this club become one of the biggest powerhouses in football," Beckham added.

He said he did not expect to start every single game.

"I don't expect to come into this team and play every single game. I have to work for that. If I work hard, it's down to the manager," he said.

"I'm still fit, I can still play like I did when I was 21. I've not lost any of my pace because I didn't have any pace."

Beckham won league titles in his final season with all three clubs he has played for on a permanent basis; Manchester United, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy.

His career also included two loan spells at AC Milan in 2009 and 2010 during which he played for PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti. "Carlo is one of the best managers I've played for," Beckham said.

PSG, who have not won the French title since 1994, lead the Ligue 1 standings with 45 points from 22 games.

Beckham conceded he would need a few weeks to gain full fitness and said he was excited to be playing alongside Ibrahimovic.

"He is a personality who goes beyond football, like Zlatan Ibrahimovic perhaps. They are players who give an important visibility to Ligue 1," France coach Didier Deschamps told reporters.

Beckham said Ibrahimovic was a special player. "It's great to have a character like him in a team. He's a confident player who plays with passion," he said. "He is one of the players I'm excited to play alongside."

Beckham will wear jersey number 32, as did Magic Johnson at the Los Angeles Lakers.

 

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