Beckham signs extension with Real
Updated: 2006-08-29 08:36
MADRID, Spain - David Beckham has signed a two-year contract extension with
Real Madrid.
Real Madrid player
David Beckham from England, right, falls under pressure from Leandro
Somoza from Argentina, left, during his Spanish league soccer match
against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Sunday,
Aug. 27, 2006. [AP] |
Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon told Spanish television on Sunday night
that the English soccer superstar will stay for two more years. His contract was
due to expire at the end of this season.
Calderon said Real Madrid, which has not won a trophy in three years, was
keeping the 31-year-old Beckham mainly for his athletic value, not his marketing
allure.
"Of course the criteria were based on sports. Marketing issues are important
but in this Real Madrid sports aspects take priority and team management has
agreed to renew Beckham's contract," Calderon said.
Beckham captained England at the World Cup in Germany but was dropped from
the side after the tournament by new national coach Steve McClaren.
Beckham, who joined Real Madrid in 2003 from Manchester United, played Sunday
in the club's opener, a 0-0 draw with Villarreal. Beckham was replaced by
Robinho in the 75th minute.
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