Soccer: David Beckham has signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy. The 36-year-old's five-year contract expired last month and he had been linked with a move to Paris St Germain.
Beckham has now re-signed with the club with which he won the 2011 MLS Cup.
"This was an important decision for me," Beckham said on the club's official website. "I had many offers from clubs from around the world, however, I'm still passionate about playing in America and winning trophies with the Galaxy. I've seen first hand how popular soccer is now in the States and I'm as committed as ever to growing the game here.
"My family and I are incredibly happy and settled in America and we look forward to spending many more years here."
Galaxy general manager and head coach Bruce Arena said: "I am thrilled that David has chosen to re-join the Galaxy, especially as he had numerous options where he could continue his career.
"I felt that he was one of the best players in all of MLS last season and we could not have achieved the success that we did without him. We look forward to trying to replicate that success this season with David once again in a Galaxy uniform."
Beckham's business manager Simon Fuller added: "When David and I discussed making the move from Real Madrid to the LA Galaxy back in 2007, our minds were firmly focused on the massive opportunity of helping to grow soccer in the United States.
"We have made great progress over the past five years in raising the profile of soccer domestically and the MLS on a worldwide stage, and we are encouraged by all the results.
"However, clearly this is an ongoing mission and this new deal confirms our commitment to continuing our journey and making sure the world's biggest sport, soccer, continues to grow in the world's most passionate sports loving nation, the USA."
The LA Galaxy start their pre-season campaign next week and return to competitive action on March 7th when they travel to face Toronto FC in the first leg of their 2011/12 CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final.
Their first game of the 2012 MLS season is on March 10 at home to Real Salt Lake.
