SPAIN: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - David Beckham carries on training with Real Madrid

David Beckham was back on the training pitch on Friday (January 12) as the news of his departure to Los Angeles was still being absorbed in Spain. Real Madrid face a tricky home match against fourth placed Real Zaragoza in the league on Sunday (January 14) and focus will be on coach Fabio Capello's teamsheet to see if Beckham will be included. Beckham was dropped from the squad for the club's King's Cup match against Real Betis on Thursday (January 11), the evening of the announcement that the former England captain is off to play for LA Galaxy next season having signed a five year deal. Beckham smiled up at the media at the training session as the squad jogged gently past the stand at the club's training ground and appeared relaxed, joking with his team mates. Beckham, still near the peak of his physical powers at the age of 31, signed a $250 million deal -- worth about $1.0m a week. He said he is not moving for the money but to help build the club and the sport in the United States. Major League Soccer will gain a massive boost in its popularity, media impact and attendance figures from the time Beckham arrives in the summer. Beckham joined Real from Manchester United in June 2003 as the most marketable footballer on the planet and the former England captain lived up to expectations. His presence catapulted Real to top spot in the rich list of the world biggest clubs and allowed them to break into the all-important Asian market. Real have admitted that a substantial part of the 292 million euros they made last season was due to Beckham's presence in the squad and immediately after the announcement that the midfielder was joining, the Galaxy sold an extra 1,000 season tickets.

ITN Source | January 13, 2007

Tags:. .england. .thursday. .expectations. .build. .sunday