David Beckham will play his final game for the LA Galaxy at MLS Cup Final 2012, the club announced on Monday evening.
Beckham signed with the Galaxy in 2007 and has spent the last six seasons with LA. During his tenure, LA reached the MLS Cup Playoffs four times, reached the MLS Cup three times and won the trophy once in 2011. LA will play for back-to-back trophies on Dec. 1 when they take on the Houston Dynamo at The Home Depot Center.
The Galaxy midfielder will be available to the media tomorrow.
"I've had an incredibly special time playing for the LA Galaxy, however, I wanted to experience one last challenge before the end of my playing career," Beckham said in a release. "I don't see this as the end of my relationship with the league as my ambition is to be part of the ownership structure in the future."
"In my time here I have seen the popularity of the game grow every year," Beckham added. "I've been fortunate to win trophies, but more important to me has been the fantastic reception I've had from fans in L.A. and across the States. Soccer's potential has no limits in this wonderful country and I want to always be part of growing it."
Beckham, who made his first appearance for the LA Galaxy on July 21 in a World Football Challenge match with Chelsea will end his tenure with the Galaxy having seen expoential growth in MLS since he joined. Since Beckham signed with MLS in 2007, MLS has added seven expansion teams while seeing growth in attendance numbers as well as television contracts.
“When David Beckham signed with the LA Galaxy in 2007, he set out to help grow MLS and the sport of soccer in North America,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. “There is no doubt that MLS is far more popular and important here and abroad than it was when he arrived. David has achieved great things on and off the field during his time with the Galaxy, and he will always be an important part of our history. We look forward to his continued involvement with the LA Galaxy and the League.”
In the statement, President and CEO of AEG Tim Leiweke also addressed Beckham's departure.
“Seldom does an athlete redefine a sport and David not only took our franchise to another level but he took our sport to another level,” said Leiweke in a statement. “It has been an honor and privilege to be a part of his world, and more importantly, to have him be a part of ours.”
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