(Photo by Hapinachu via Flickr Creative Commons)
As the window for transfer deadline closed, the world of football was shook up by David Beckham. Since his contract with L. A. Galaxy ended in December, the race has been on to sign Beckham. As a global superstar he still attracts interest from around the world, and its rumoured that he received offers from at least one club on every continent that plays professional football.
But it is Paris St-Germain that tackled Beckham in the end, signing him to a five month contract for the remainder of Ligue 1. But, like The Wild Geese, Beckham wants to contribute to his adopted community and will give his salary to a local charity:
‘I won’t receive any salary. We have decided my salary will go towards a local children’s charity in Paris and that is one of the things we are very excited and proud to do’
Beckham’s old Manchester United team mate and former goalkeeper for France, Fabien Barthez is confident that this new signing will ‘shake things up’:
‘You mustn’t forget what the guy has lived, and all the experience, all this lived experience that he can bring to the young players and the team’
But Beckham has many challenges a head of him, all of which he is embracing. One major challenge exemplifies his own larger goals.
The Wild Geese focused on a higher cause when they left their home in 1691. Wherever they went, this was a driving force in their actions and its impressive to see the vision that Beckham is bringing to this transfer.
Ligue 1 is thought by some to be a second tier competition in Europe, but Paris St-Germain has been trying to change that perception and bring high quality football to competition. With 115 caps for England and back-to-back League titles in the last two seasons at L. A. Galaxy, David Beckham is the next step to doing this:
‘I chose Paris because I can see what the club are trying to do. I can see who the club are trying to bring in
‘Its an exciting city and now there’s a club that’s going to have a lot of success over the next 10, 20, 30 years. I’m very honoured I’ve been picked to be part of the future of PSG’
