'Hello, America' -- Beckham introduced in manner befitting Tinseltown

By: SIMON SAMANO - Staff Writer | Friday, July 13, 2007 11:40 PM PDT ∞

England soccer player David Beckham holds up his new jersey as he is introduced as the newest member of the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team, Friday, July 13, 2007, in Carson, Calif.
Associated Press

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CARSON ---- The wait is over. He's here. He's finally here. The day Major League Soccer had been waiting for the past six months finally arrived on Friday as international superstar David Beckham was officially introduced as the newest member of the Los Angeles Galaxy.

But before Beckham could make his grand entrance at the Home Depot Center, his wife Victoria ---- better known as Posh Spice ---- graced the estimated 5,000 fans with her presence and delighted the hoard of photographers in front of the stage by posing.

Shortly thereafter, Beckham, who signed a five-year contract in January that will pay him $32.5 million in salary, was all smiles as he walked onto the field to a raucous ovation and the refrain "Hello, America" blaring over the loudspeakers. It was an entrance fit for a rock star.

Confetti flew and the crowd erupted again when Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas introduced Beckham and presented him with a No. 23 jersey.

"I've always lived for the challenges in my career. That's something exciting in my life," Beckham said on stage. "My family have now moved to Los Angeles, something we're looking forward to, something we're very proud of. And in our lives, everything's perfect.

"For me, the most important thing is my family. The second thing is the foot ---- is the soccer. I'll get used to that. I'm sorry.

"So, I'm on to my new challenge, one of the biggest challenges I have ever taken on in my career. To move to a different country, the other side of the world is something that I'm looking forward to."

Beckham, who joins the Galaxy from Spanish champion Real Madrid, made no bones about his desire to make soccer as popular in the U.S. as it is globally.

"I think potentially in the States, soccer can be as big as it is everywhere else around the world," he said. "And I'm very proud to be part of that for the next five years and maybe a few more years later."

It's an undertaking that will require his undivided attention to the sport, which has come into question because of his star attraction. But during a more intimate press conference with reporters, Beckham quelled any speculation about his motives for moving to Los Angeles.

"People have talked about me going into movies and Hollywood," said Beckham, who, with his wife, is good friends with actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.

"Obviously I have friends in that scene, but I'm here to play football. That's only why I'm here --- to play soccer."

With Beckham transcending his sport into the realm of pop culture, there have been questions about how the rest of the Galaxy will take to a teammate with such celebrity ---- and one who makes more money than the team combined. But Beckham said it shouldn't be long before his teammates realize that he's here to win.

"I think once ... I'm training with them for two or three days, they will see what I'm like as a person," Beckham said. "I just want to be part of the team. The stuff that sort of surrounds me and comes with me, I've always handled it well. Teammates, once they have me for a few weeks or a few days, they'll see that I'm here to play soccer."

Said Lalas: "From day one he has been adamant about being treated as part of this team."

Tim Leiweke, president and CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns the Galaxy, said the addition of Beckham has already paid dividends financially for the team.

As expected, Beckham's scheduled debut against English power Chelsea FC next Saturday is sold out. Galaxy season-ticket sales are "well over" 10,000. All the luxury suites at the Home Depot Center are sold out for the first time in team history. And the Galaxy sold 250,000 Beckham jerseys to retailers (he gets a cut of all sales).

But Leiweke and the Galaxy are hoping that Beckham's impact is long term and more than just financial prosperity for the team and league.

"Hopefully the true impact of David is not dollars and cents," Leiweke said, "but five years from now where we are (as a league) in the eyes of the world."

Contact staff writer Simon Samano at simon_samano@yahoo.com.